MLB Trade Deadline 2015: 5 moves that must happen

The Houston Astros have been the biggest surprise of the 2015 MLB season, as they have transitioned from perennial laughing stock to playoff contender.

After leading the American League West for the majority of the season, though, they hit a skid before the All-Star break and surrendered the division lead to the Los Angeles Angels. The Astros only sit a half game back, but the Angels are beginning to click on all cylinders, and outfielder Mike Trout is having an MVP-caliber season. Houston must look to improve their roster before the trade deadline if they hope to regain the division lead and set themselves up for playoff success.

Insert Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto.

The Astros already boast one of the best pitchers in the league at the top of their rotation in Dallas Keuchel, who started the All-Star game for the American League. What Cueto’s addition would accomplish, however, would be giving the Astros arguably the most potent one-two punch of any pitching rotation in the MLB.

Cueto is well on his way to a fifth consecutive season with sub-3.00 earned run average, and would go a long way in adding stability to a Houston pitching staff that ranks in the Top-10 in the MLB in ERA and batting average allowed, despite struggles at the back end of the rotation.

Great pitching is nearly always a prerequisite for playoff success, something that the Astros know all too well. After all, the only World Series run in franchise history came behind the talented arms of Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Roy Oswalt.

Next: Jay Bruce to the New York Yankees