By Jonathan Lee
July 31, 2012

The National League Central has three teams clearly going for it this season with Cincinnati and Pittsburgh making moves at the trade deadline.  St. Louis was more content to sit back and trust in their talented roster down the stretch.

The Reds acquired Jonathan Broxton to pitch in a setup role choosing to strengthen an existing strength.  Adding Broxton to Sean Marshall and Alroldis Chapman was a luxury, but still improved the team slightly in the chase for the playoffs.

Pittsburgh meanwhile was very active at the deadline trying to end decades of futility.  The Pirates didn’t make one major deal, but instead made several minor ones acquiring first baseman Gaby Sanchez, reliever Chad Qualls, and outfielder Travis Snider.  Snider is the most likely to make an impact slotting in one of the corner outfield spots, and providing a power bat in the lineup.  Sanchez replaces Casey McGehee (traded to the Yankees for Qualls) as a bench bat and first baseman.  Overall the Pirates are projected to win one more game after all the movement Tuesday making them seven percent more likely to make the playoffs.

Interestingly St. Louis is projected to win slightly more often after the deadline compared to before, and yet they are slightly less likely to win the Central and make the playoffs.  All the other contenders were busy making moves and got better while the Cardinals stood pat.  That decision may still pay off because St. Louis is nearly 58 percent to make the postseason which is still better than Pittsburgh.