August, 2011

Best of the BDBL Forum, 2011

"I predict [Brandon Wood] plays somewhere else at some point, finds someone who can smack him around enough to make the proper adjustments and then he will be a descent major-leaguer. That seems to be the Angel's luck anyway."

-- Ed McGowan, 9/27/10

Well, one of Ed's predictions was spot-on: Brandon Wood is playing somewhere else.

"Still hope for Rich [Harden]. Or I can cut him next year....Either way, I win."

-- Matt Clemm, 10/7/10

On August 9th, Rich Harden officially surpassed the 40-inning threshold that would've allowed Matt to release him without penalty.  He's now on the hook to pay Harden $9.1 million in 2012.  That's the bad news.  The worse news?  Harden is contracted through 2014!

(And remember: when Matt traded Roy Oswalt AND Brian Wilson for Harden, Bobby claimed that multiple teams expressed an interest in Harden.)

"I predict that this race will ultimately be won by the Blazers, and I will spend the rest of my winter kicking myself in the ass for allowing Peburn to manage against my MP in Chapter Two. I deserve to lose this race after throwing that hissy-fit."

-- Mike Glander, 10/14/10

If only that prediction had come true, I could've spared myself the misery of losing another World Series to Tom.

"Basically -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- Nic has given his biggest competitor in his division the National League MVP, in exchange for guys who won't really help him all that much in 2011.

Isn't that right?

I had the Meatballs as the favorites to win the division in 2011, and they're still strong. But this trade made them much weaker -- while strengthening their biggest competition in the division!

Am I missing something?"

-- Mike Glander, 11/25/10

Yes, Nic traded Joey Votto to the team that was supposed to be his main competitor, and the result is that Nic is now in first place and that competitor is 16 games behind him in third place.  What a wacky world we live in.

"Kudos to Gene [for trading Jair Jurrjens, Lance Berkman, Coco Crisp and Mike Trout to Allentown for Justin Morneau, Jayson Werth, Ian Kinsler and Shelly Duncan.]

Pretty good haul for really only giving up potential and not taking on much salary.

I'm very excited about this deal as I think it is a major blow to the success of Allentown. Allentown will bounce back as there farm is still strong, but it might take them a couple of more years to get back to the top."

-- Chris Luhning, 11/27/10

Every Player Tom Touches Turns to Gold, Part One: Jair Jurrjens, who posted a 4.64 ERA in 2010, currently owns a 2.63 ERA.  Rather than taking "a couple of years" to get back on top of their division, the Ridgebacks will be gunning for title #5 in 2012.

"So Bob has basically traded Hanley Ramirez and Heath Bell for Matt Garza, Mike Aviles, Michael Wuertz, George Springer, Victor Martinez, Daniel Bard, Cameron Maybin, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Dee Gordon.

GM of the Year already."

-- Mike Stein, 12/1/10

It's a convincing argument.  However...should we give the GM of the Year trophy to the guy who started waving the white flag when his team was in first place?

"I figure [trading Lastings Milledge means he] will hop the ocean and play in Japan. If I hadn't moved him I would be paying his ass for the duration."

-- Tony DeCastro, 12/3/10

No need to play in Japan when Charlotte, South Carolina works just as well!

"I think I'm starting to see Salem's new strategy... they sign mediocre pitchers to long contracts and then send them off to other teams. The dreaded "Salem Horse Strategy"!

First Luke Hochevar and now Justin Masterson. Brilliant!"

-- Tom DiStefano, 12/3/10

"Mediocre pitchers" like Justin Masterson?  The guy who owns a 2.69 ERA in 167 innings this year??  Suck it, DiStefano!!

(Okay, Hochevar is pretty mediocre.)

"Allentown confirms.

We still like Rick Porcello a lot but feel that his development has been hurt by the Tigers rushing him. However, I'm sure the Slyme will get some very solid seasons out of him over the next few years.

We like Ellsbury and Thole as fliers who will, hopefully, contribute over the next few years."

-- Tom DiStefano, 12/3/10

Every Player Tom Touches Turns to Gold, Part Two: Jacoby Ellsbury has 22 home runs this season.  TWENTY-TWO!  JACOBY FUCKING ELLSBURY!

Seriously, Tom, did you make a fucking arrangement with Satan himself, or what?

"It'll be interesting to see how much of a hit [Nelson] Cruz's numbers take, going from Texas to Manchester."

-- Mike Glander, 12/3/10

Strangely enough, Cruz has 19 homers in 301 AB's (compared to 22 HR in 399 MLB AB's), and owns a higher BDBL slugging percentage (.581) than his MLB rate (.576).  Ballpark factors, schmallpark schmactors.

"I had targeted [Jose] Reyes last year, but didn't have enough money to bid on him. Hopefully he stays healthy and bounces back to what he was before last year. If not, I traded Pedro Alvarez, Eric Hosmer and Daniel Hudson for eight Zack Greinke starts."

-- Mike Glander, 12/6/10

Reyes has had an outstanding (albeit injury-plagued) season.  I'd still rather have Alvarez, Hosmer and Hudson, though.

"Good trade, Gill. [Referring to the Reyes trade above.]"

-- Anthony Peburn, 12/6/10

Good comment, douche.

"[Mike] Pelfrey is going to get mangled in the BDBL this season while CJ Wilson is going to be great."

-- Tom DiStefano, 12/19/10

Mike Pelfrey, MLB: 3.66 ERA, 9.4 H/9, 3.0 BB/9, 5.0 K/9, 0.5 HR/9
Mike Pelfrey, BDBL: 3.09 ERA, 8.2 H/9, 3.3 BB/9, 4.8 K/9, 0.4 HR/9

C.J. Wilson, MLB: 3.35 ERA, 7.1 H/9, 4.1 BB/9, 7.5 K/9, 0.4 HR/9
C.J. Wilson, BDBL: 4.68 ERA, 7.9 H/9, 4.8 BB/9, 7.9 K/9, 0.9 HR/9

"For the record, I offered Dan Haren straight-up for [C.J.] Wilson."

-- Mike Glander, 12/19/10

Ouch.  That has to hurt, John.

"Another decision I found interesting was Chicago going 6 years on Pablo Sandoval. In 6 years he'll either be a great hitter or a contestant on The Biggest Loser."

-- Tom DiStefano, 12/23/10

So far, so good.  As long as Sandoval keeps working out with Jillian and Bob, he'll be fine.

"Even at the BDBL weekend I remember asking Matt if he didn't want me to sign A-Rod to just 2 years and he said, nope, 10 years.

I re-confirmed the 10 years yesterday before committing him to that contract and it was still what Matt wanted. Even I thought that part of the deal was a little crazy.

This trade was the quickest deal I'd ever struck.

The conversation went like this:

Matt: I'll give you Bumgarner for A-Rod.

Me: Really?!!

Matt: Yep.

Me: Okay.

Jeff told me later that saying "Really" with that much enthusiasm was not the best bargaining technique, but it didn't really hurt me in the end."

-- John Duel, 12/23/10

Oh, Matt.  Matt, Matt, Matt.

"Seven picks made so far:

-- one of them is a Japanese dude who hasn't played an inning in the US
-- one is a 16-year-old pitcher who has only played in the Dominican summer league
-- one is an 18-year-old pitcher who has yet to pitch an inning of pro ball
-- one is a 16-year-old high school sophomore

...and some of you guys want to EXPAND our farm rosters?!?"

-- Mike Glander, 12/31/10

The first seven picks in our farm draft were: Brandon Belt, Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Carlos Martinez, Stetson Allie, Tyler Skaggs, Nick Franklin and Lance McCullers.  If the draft were re-held today, would any of those seven -- other than possibly Belt -- be a top seven pick?

"i cant believe nick franklin lasted so long...i thought about picking him at #2...err i mean with the 20th pick...they say he is a good bet to be a top 5 prospect this time next year"

-- Bobby Sylvester, 12/31/10

Nick Franklin update: .271/.353/.407, 5 HR, 31/56 BB/K in 258 AB at High Desert in the California League.  Meh.  He'll be lucky to make the top 100 next year -- never mind top 5.

"Can we make a rule where if you post a scouting report of a player you just picked, you automatically lose that pick???"

-- Jeff Paulson, 1/1/11

I'm putting this on the ballot.

"another new rule - you make a joke about Jeff drafting really young players, you're kicked out of the league."

-- Brian Potrafka, 1/1/11

No way!  Where's the fun in NOT suggesting that Paulson is a pedophile year after year??

"I'd like to propose... if you post a scouting report of the player when you pick him, you must also post an update every year on the anniversary of that pick."

-- Tom DiStefano, 1/1/11

I like this one even better.

"Starlin Castro had a great rookie year, but he's going to stumble the next couple of years. #2 pick Zack Britton is a better prospect than Castro. "

-- Mike Glander, 1/3/11

If by "stumble", I meant raise his batting average, slugging percentage, OPS and stolen base right, while leading the National League in hits, then spot-on.

I still think he's pretty mediocre.  Britton is even more mediocre, though.

"I'll take the $1 mil flier in this awful draft. [Reacting to Greg's statement that he was surprised to see Todd Helton get even one bid in the auction.]"

-- Tom DiStefano, 1/5/11

Every Player Tom Touches Turns to Gold, Part Three: Helton is hitting .307/.391/.478 at age 37 -- a year after hitting .256/.362/.367 and looking like he was completely washed up.  God, I hate Tom.  I hate him so much.

"I worry Jim won't be alive to see any of his draft picks make it to the majors. [Responding to Jim's selection of several 15- and 16-year-olds in the farm draft.]"

-- Jeff Paulson, 1/5/11

Perhaps the funniest post of the year.

"Nic is so excited about this [Drake Britton farm] pick...I was hoping for a killer reaction with his posting...too early in the afternoon for that it seems though. Drake is a big time break out candidate in 2011...lefty that throws 97...i predict he is the red sox top prospect this time next season"

-- Bobby Sylvester, 1/1/11

Drake Britton update: 80.2 IP, 89 H, 10 HR, 50 BB, 70 K...7.03 ERA.  D'oh!

"I hope [Paul Konerko posts similar numbers in MLB '11], for you Bob. He did put up OPS numbers of .842, .782, .841 the past 3 years, so I'd be a but surprised if he kept putting up #s like last year at 34. We shall see..."

-- Chris Luhning, 1/6/11

Konerko's MLB numbers have fallen off a cliff this season: from a 977 OPS all the way to 958.  What a bum.

"Whatever. I'm glad [Greg Newgard is] stuck with Omar Infante for three years. I hope you choke on him.

...My favorite part about tonight's bid?

TWO teams decided that Omar Infante was worth a Type H bid!

Seriously -- have you all lost your F'ing minds??

I didn't think there was ANY chance whatsoever that I wouldn't end up with Infante. I wrote it in pen. In Sharpee pen. The kind that doesn't erase, no matter how hard you try.

Absolutely insane. This is officially the most ridiculous auction we've ever had. First, a first baseman goes for more than $6M, and now Omar Infante gets a three-year, $20.5 million contract. Brilliant."

-- Mike Glander, 1/6/11

Gosh, I think I was a little upset over that Infante bid.

The joke's on Greg, though.  He's now stuck with Infante's 688 OPS next year at $6 million.  So suck it, Newgard!

"As far as [Chipper Jones'] future I see it right now as 50/50 whether he plays or retires for next year. If he does play I just don't see his ACL surgery affecting his hitting ability that much - defensive range, okay, but if he hits like he was hitting the 2nd half of last year he'll easily be worth 5.5 mil next year too. Not to mention after that he likely WILL retire. "

-- Gene Patterson, 1/6/11

Whether it's because of his ACL or not, Jones is hitting just .270/.343/.445 this season.  Maybe he'll retire at the end of this season, and Gene won't have to pay him for 2013 as well.

"I would rather have Chipper at 5.5 mil and know that after this year he is retiring than pay Youkilis 9.5 mil for 3 years and Bautista 10+ mil for 3 years. "

-- Gene Patterson, 1/7/11

Oooooh...that's the kind of comment that could come back to haunt you.

"[Jose Bautista] feels a lot like Brady Anderson Part 2 to me."

-- Greg Newgard, 1/8/11

What a stupid comment to make.  Who the hell would make such a stupid comment?  Oh, wait...

"Exactly. If the over/under on Bautista's 2011 MLB homers is 30, I'm taking the under. We're talking about a 29-year-old guy whose career numbers were .238/.329/.400 coming into this season -- with 59 career homers in 2,038 PA's. I find it hard to believe that he suddenly turned into Matt Holliday overnight."

-- Mike Glander, 1/8/11

Never mind.

"I've stated my opinion [about Bautista], and you've stated yours. Odds are pretty good that when I write my annual "Best of the Forum" article, one of us will look pretty foolish! (And if past history is any indication, the odds are the it'll be me.)"

-- Mike Glander, 1/9/11

Well, at least I got one prediction right this year.

"I think [John Lackey will] be a solid #3 for me this year, and he'll be even better going forward. Certainly worthy of a $6-$7MM salary, given this market where guys like Shaun Marcum get $10MM!"

-- Mike Glander, 1/9/11

Lackey has been very solid this year.  But moving forward, Lackey is a little lacking.

"True, I knew Lewis would be type H because of his good season last year, but if anyone is not going to worth 11 million next year, its Colby Lewis. Mark it down right now!"

-- Jeff Paulson, 1/9/11

I've marked it down, pal.  153 IP, 139 H, 28 HR, 43 BB, 128 K, 4.01 ERA.  I've seen worse numbers earn $11 million on Auction Day.

"I hate to say it, but I agree with Mike on Lackey. I watched him pitch quite a bit. He will likely be solid this year in MLB and easily worth the 6mil. If I had thought I could get him for that amount I would not have traded for Derek Lowe in the off-season. Nice one Mike.

I also think Lackey will pitch better in the BDBL now that his numbers are coming from Fenway instead of Anaheim. I think he has a solid year this year in MLB and the BDBL (sadly) and is worth more than his 6mil this year....book it."

-- Ed McGowan, 1/9/11

Thanks for the support, Ed.

"I think Jason Bay was a potentially huge bargain from last night's auction lot. If he can bounce back to form (which he should be able to if he's over his concussion -- and from I read, he is), then he's a $7-$8MM player, easily.

I also think Skiz may have a couple of bargains in Rollins and Roberts -- two offense-minded middle infielders coming off bad seasons."

-- Mike Glander, 1/10/11

Jason Bay update: .242/.323/.354 in 347 AB
Jimmy Rollins update: .264/.338/.394 in 477 AB
Brian Roberts update: .221/.273/.331 in 163 AB

Oh-for-three!

"If a 5.21 ERC and 796/866 splits are one of [James Shields'] best years, I wouldn't want him going forward...The '11 trophy is yours with a guy named Colby, Haren, Lackey and Shields."

-- Anthony Peburn, 1/10/11

Peburn, do you need a towel?  You know, to wipe all that EGG OFF YOUR FACE?!?

"I am a bit surprised by this deal [Ryan Zimmerman and James Shields for Felix Hernandez and Scott Baker.] I think it all hinges on Shields, though I am not super confident he is going to be dominate anytime soon. His numbers have been going the wrong way for 4 years now...He does have a nice contract, currently, but I am a little worried that Shields won't rebound very quickly or very much."

-- Jeff Paulson, 1/10/11

Worry no more, Jeff.

"To me, [James Shields] looks like a safe bet to be a solid #2 next year.

Combine an increase in K's with some regression in BIP rate and HR/F rate, and you have the makings of a career year in MLB '11."

-- Mike Glander, 1/10/11

When you're wrong 51% of the time, you're right 49%.

"Atlanta is going to shatter Ravenswood's 2010 mark for team ERA in a season...somewhere below 3.00...take a closer look at their staff if you don't believe me."

-- Bobby Sylvester, 2/21/11

Ravenswood's BDBL record: 3.10
Atlanta's current team ERA: 3.19

"I cannot wait to see what Akron does in this draft! Will he eat up every SUS player around? We he overdraft every catcher, causing teams to panic because they don't have enough catcher at bats? Will he ignore his money and end up with 15 million after the draft???

Who knows!!! We shall see!"

-- Jeff Paulson, 1/12/11

No, silly, he only left nearly $8 million on the table!  And we're still waiting for an explanation, Mr. Shepard!

"I was flip-flopping between [Brandon] Beachy and [Kanley] Jansen with my last pick. Figured depriving [Jeff] of another bullpen arm was more of a short-term win."

-- Greg Newgard, 1/17/11

Short-term, yes.  But long-term, we all now have to deal with Paulson having another young, cheap ace in his rotation for the next several years.  Way to go, flip-flopper!

"[Josh] Tomlin won't get any innings in the BDBL this season, but look at his career minor league numbers...he is a sneaky effective pitcher and I imagine him posting anywhere between a 3.6 and 4.5 ERA in 100-180 IP this season for the Indians"

-- Bobby Sylvester, 1/19/11

I'm still not a big fan of pitchers who strike out fewer than five batters per game, but Tomlin's 3.97 ERA does look impressive.

"I know I'm going to get crap for hating young lefties as much as I do and loving 24 year olds that start their big league career 0 for 29, but bring it.

Derek Holland to the Sphinx for Chris Carter (the really really good one that baseball america hates) and Nick Stavinoha"

-- Bobby Sylvester, 2/25/11

Yes, you will get crap.  No reason for us to bring it, though, since you brought it on yourself!

"This trade puts a lot of pressure on Starlin [Castro] to blossom as I hope he will, but the two bombs today give me a lot of hope that this kid will turn into a once in a generation star. (fingers crossed)"

-- Bobby Sylvester, 3/12/11

Since launching those two bombs, Castro has added five more.  Decent hitter for a shortstop, with most of his value tied to hitting lots of singles?  Check.  "Once in a generation star?"  Err...not quite.

"[Reacting to Bobby Sylvester's prediction:] The Reds in 5th place?!? :o Way too much talent for that to happen."

-- Scott Romonosky, 3/30/11

Yes, way too much talent.  The Reds are at least a fourth-place team.

"I predict slow start [for Brandon Belt] and back to the minors when Cody Ross comes off the DL."

-- Matt Clemm, 3/31/11

Nailed it!

"Good to see Teixeira hit a longball today, after a fairly decent spring. Can you imagine if Teixeira didn't post a 700 OPS in the month of April? If his April looks like every other one of his months, he will easily hit 45-50 homers this year."

-- Mike Glander, 3/31/11

With 32 homers in mid-August, T-Rex looks like a lock for 45 homers at this point.  Ironically enough, he finally put together a decent April (.256/.392/.549), but has fallen apart in July and August (.259/.330/.438).

"Just watched the 4.11.11 game on my computer given the late time it started last night.

Belt is now 5 for 35 on the season and Pat Burrell looked like the Commish taught him how to play defense, using the matador defense on a line drive he ended up chasing to the left field wall...

Not sure how long Torres' heel will keep him on the bench or if he will go on the DL...

Big decision is what to do when Cody Ross comes back, probably put Torres on the DL ...

I would keep Belt in the MLB until he gets at least 100 PAs....."

-- Jim Doyle, 4/12/11

Hey, remember those daily Giants updates Jim used to provide?  Whatever happened to those?

"I certainly don't expect Hochevar to be great, but I don't expect him to be as bad as Hamels."

-- Nic Weiss, 4/15/11

Hamels' ERA for the Meatballs this year: 5.50 (in 93+ IP)
Hochevar's ERA for the Meatballs this year: 3.70 (80+ IP)

Yeah...I don't get it, either.

"I haven't been more disappointed about a player getting drafted before me than Josh Tomlin this off season since Wes Roemer...then I traded James Loney for him straight up and Roemer is still floating around in AA ball somewhere...I am more sure about Josh Tomlin though...He is a 26 year old ground ball pitcher who cruised through any league he has been in...he should get 150+ innings this year for the Indians and I would be more shocked if he had an ERA above 4.20 than if Pujols quit baseball next winter."

-- Bobby Sylvester, 4/16/11

Boy, Bobby sure loves him some Josh Tomlin!

"The Slyme worked the PMs hard with multiple people, but no one liked [Carlos] Marmol as much as I did (or Bobby) so I pulled the trigger sending Marmol to the Apostles for Kyle Lohse and Jose Iglesias. This trade adds perhaps MLBs best pitcher in 2011...of course he could crash and burn, but we like him at his price for next year and beyond."

-- Bob Sylvester, 4/30/11

Lohse's numbers since this trade: 3.98 ERA, 109 IP, 111 H, 12 HR, 28 BB, 51 K.  Meh.  Why do the Sylvesters love these pitchers who strike out fewer than 5/9?  Maybe I've discovered their secret formula!

"However, he wasn't the key. It was Jordan Zimmerman. I think he is right where JJ was coming off TJ surgery a couple years ago. He can quickly develop into a dynamite SP comparable to what Johnson has been the last couple years."

-- Mike Stein, 4/30/11

While I wouldn't exactly compare him to Josh Johnson, Zimmerman has been impressive this year: 145 IP, 137 H, 9 HR, 26 BB, 113 K, 3.23 ERA.

"Not at all. I had a change of heart. I'm still pissed at this team, and I still have my doubts, but I just can't punt yet. And I realize by waiting I may have lost some trade partners in the future as they already filled their needs. I am giving it one more chapter, and I also realize that I have a VERY tough chapter three with THREE first place teams in Los Altos, Kansas, Vegas with Great Lakes to boot. The way I look at it is this; if I can hang and compete with the big boys this chapter, I'm in. If I have another losing chapter, I'm out."

-- Anthony Peburn, 5/1/11

After giving this speech, the Blazers went on to post the best record in the Ozzie League.  How inspirational.

"Well, if you just look at the [James Shields/Felix Hernandez/Ryan Zimmerman] trade, Salem wins. Now if you factor in Colby Lewis and his 11M .968 OPS vs lefties as part of why the trade was made on top of the Zimm injury, and it's looking more and more like a push. Shields is having a career year, but it is just that."

-- Anthony Peburn, 7/4/11

Lewis' OPS vs. lefties is down to 839, which means Peburn will still fill his lineup with eight left-handed platoon hitters when he faces Lewis next year.  But at least Lewis now has a fighting chance.

"Mike Trout looks pretty good so far, ehh?

163/213/279 and about to get demoted...more to come when he gets re-promoted in september"

-- Bobby Sylvester, 8/1/11

I'm still convinced that Mike Trout kicked Bobby's dog at some point.

Okay, now it's time for the "Off-Topic" section.  Proceed at your own risk.

"I would also say that I am all for getting rid of the deficit. And we should have, when economic times were good. Given where we are economically, I would say trying to get rid of the deficit now is a bad idea, bad timing. So yes, I am in favor of adding to the deficit if it means stimulating the economy."

-- Jeff Paulson, 1/26/09

Okay...we've now added roughly $4 trillion to our deficit since Paulson wrote this.  How's that working out for us?

"Isn't nice having a President who is open-minded and willing to listen to the other side?"

-- Jeff Paulson, 1/27/09

No snarky comment necessary.  This one works all on its own.

"You know, I remember when Obama was running for office, and I warned everyone that when he became president, we'd see a mind-numbing rise in unemployment, a double-digit inflation rate, an exponential increase of the federal deficit, and government intrusion into our lives the likes of which we haven't seen in generations. So none of this surprises me. I'm just shocked it's only taken six months for all of this to happen!"

-- Mike Glander, 7/15/09

Okay, that's not really fair.  The inflation rate isn't in double digits.  Well...it is for food, clothing and fuel.  But those are just minor expenses.

"As to the tripling of the debt, I don't even think the starkest predictions have us going to a 35 Trillion dollar debt. Bush more than double our debt, from under $5 Trillion to over $11 Trillion in 8 short years. I don't think 8 years of any president could be so disastrous as that result (at least I would hope not!)."

-- John Duel, 10/15/09

Fact: the national debt went from $7.3 trillion in 2001 to $12.5 trillion in 2008 -- a difference of $5.2 trillion.  Since '08, we've added $4.2 trillion to our debt in just three short years.  If that isn't "disastrous", I don't know what is.

"So, when the Democrats realize that they will be acting alone, the real fixing will begin, and with it, a true recovery--one that includes JOBS."

-- John Duel, 10/15/09

Terrific!  So...err...when does that begin?

"More than 70% of the [stimulus] money has yet to be spent, with the largest portion scheduled for 2010. I think we'll see improvement, and I think we'll see positive results...I don't have a crystal ball, but I sense once Health Care reform is passed, the momentum will carry over to the economy. A lot of companies will feel that impact immediately, and new venture capitalists will be more confident to start up enterprises or expand existing ones."

-- John Duel, 10/15/09

John, are you SURE you don't have a crystal ball?

"The [Obamacare] bill will pass--as I have said on numerous occasion on this board. And then we'll see how people feel. My guess is that people will like it more than the way things are now, and it will only be good for the Democrats since the Republicans refused to participate."

-- John Duel, 3/18/10

According to the latest Rasmussen poll (in August of this year), 54% of those surveyed would like to see Obamacare repealed.  How's that working out for the Democrats, who shoved this thing down our throats against our will?

"My prediction: the Republicans will take control of both houses in November. They will scale back on spending, taxes and regulation, and the economy will flourish in 2011 and 2012. Obama will claim all the credit for this, of course, and the American people will go along with it (because they always believe the president controls the economy.) As a result, Obama will be re-elected in 2012. You read it here first."

-- Mike Glander, 10/14/10

Prediction fail.