Studs & Duds-July 23

Studs and Duds will take a look at the players who you may look to pick up to give your baseball team the shot in the arm they need and the others that it may be time to give up on.

Here is this week's edition

Studs-
Edwin Encarnacion-3B, 1B Toronto Blue Jays
Encarnacion has been very hot over the last two weeks and is still available in many leagues.  He is an attractive option at either corner infield position and could be a fill in option for teams looking for a replacement for Alex Rodriguez or Chipper Jones.  Encarnacion has hit .436 the last two weeks while driving in five runs and swiping three stolen bases.



Cameron Maybin's hot streak has
earned him consideration for your
fantasy baseball roster

 Cameron Maybin-OF San Diego Padres
Maybin has been on fire lately and may be the best player on the Padres right now.  He was phenomenal compiling nine hits in a three game series against the Florida Marlins.  Maybin has good speed and will be a good option to sneak a couple of steals in if you can plug him in positive match ups. 

Alexi Casilla 2B, SS Minnesota Twins
If you were unfortunate enough to have lost Stephen Drew to the DL earlier in the week you may be scrambling for middle infield help.  Casilla has come on strong of late and his numbers are actually very similar to Drew's with a trade off for RBI for stolen bases.  His seventeen hits in the last two weeks ties him for third in the majors.  His ability to get on base and score runs make him a valuable fantasy option. 

Brandon Morrow SP Toronto Blue Jays
Morrow has not been spectacular but he registers a good number of Ks and has logged two solid starts since the All Star break.  His next start is against Texas so be careful, but he could provide you with some starter help down the stretch. 

The next guy in line RP...potentially, lots of teams
This isn't an endorsement of any one individual player, but rather a call to be on the look out at the moves that develop in MLB at the trade deadlines.  Several relief pitchers are being shopped and are expected to find new homes in the next week.  Make sure you are on top of how this might effect your current staff and who the key guys are to step in, in the event that a team trades it's current closer.  Here are the guys I would take note of and have on my radar. 
Edward Mujica-Florida
Mike Adams-San Diego
Luke Gregerson-San Diego (if Bell & Adams get traded)


Duds
Jason Bay-OF New York Mets
Bay evidently turned back into a pumpkin when the calender hit July.  His hot streak is gone and he is battling through some injuries that have kept him out of the lineup.  If Carlos Beltran is dealt at the deadline, Bay will be looked at to provide much of the Mets' offense but he is not proving capable lately.

Mike Trout-OF LA Angels
If you latched on to Trout when he got called up expecting to catch lightening in a bottle, you have been disappointed.  He is only batting .133 and is simply not hitting well enough to warrant a spot on your roster.  He has all the tools to be a fantasy contributor for many years, but for this year...look elsewhere.

Matt Capps-RP Minnesota Twins
Joe Nathan is back in as the closer for the Twins barring a major setback.  Given his recent performances, Capps may actually fallen behind Glen Perkins at having a shot at closing should the Twins look to replace Nathan later in the season. 

Jhoulys Chacin-SP Colorado Rockies
Chacin has had two shaky outings and you may be better served to look for a different option to send to the mound.  His 5.50 ERA in the last two weeks is concerning, but it could actually be worse considering all the base runners he has allowed via walk as he struggles with control issues.