MLB Trade Deadline: 15 trades that need to happen

5. Julio Teheran to the Astros

With right-hander Julio Teheran locked into a six-year contract for only $32 million that runs through the 2020 season, it might seem like the Atlanta Braves would plan to build their rotation around the two-time All-Star. Think again — the Braves are actually open to moving him for the right package. Teheran is the one remaining trade chip the Braves have that could net them top prospects.

Teheran is having a funky season. No one has struggled more in the Braves new launching pad than the 26-year-old starter. In his 10 starts at SunTrust Park, Teheran is 1-7 with a 7.05 ERA and has surrendered an OPS of .878. Away from home, the numbers are much better. Teheran is 6-0 with a 2.53 ERA on the road while limiting opponents to a .666 OPS.

The advanced metrics do not necessarily point to the home-road splits as the only reason for Teheran’s struggles this year. He has lost a few ticks on his fastball and is getting fewer groundballs and swinging strikes while giving up more walks. Teheran isn’t as bad as his home numbers would indicate, but also not as good as his road numbers indicate.

The Astros are going to need one more starting pitcher to round out their rotation behind Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers as they head into the postseason. They could go for Gerrit Cole, Sonny Gray or even Jeff Samardzija, but Teheran makes good sense for them as a rebound candidate that would allow them to avoid dipping deeper into their pool of elite prospects.