The MLB trade deadline is approaching, and general managers across the league are trying to make moves.

So far the biggest deal made has been between the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals. The Reds agreed to trade away their ace pitcher Johnny Cueto to the Royals in exchange for Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed.

At first glance this may seem like a terrible decision by the Reds considering Cueto is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, but they didn't have much of a choice. Cueto is in the final year of his contract, and more than likely he wouldn't have re-signed as a free agent this upcoming offseason.

As for the Royals, this was a fantastic move to make for numerous reasons. Although they rank fifth in team ERA, the Royals had big issues with starters lasting long into games. The Royals currently have the worst "distance inning pitching" by starters in all of baseball, with starters only averaging 5.5 innings per start this season.

Cueto, on the other hand, has averaged 6.9 innings per start this year. He is well known for pitching deep into games. Last season he led the National League in innings pitched with 243.2, as well as strikeouts with 242. Since 2011 Cueto has the second lowest ERA in all of baseball. Only (you guessed it) Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers has a lower ERA over that time span.

With the addition of the Dominican ace, the Royals are easily now the favorites to make the World Series in the AL. At the moment, the Royals lead the AL Central over the Minnesota Twins with a 59-38 record. As a matter of fact, the Royals have the best record in all of the AL. Only the St. Louis Cardinals have a better record.

Royals fans aren't too used to seeing their team make a huge splash at the trade deadline. According to Deadspin, the Royals have the 16th highest payroll this year at just over $113 million.

Despite the fact that Cueto is in the final year of his contract and the future remains a mystery, the Royals made a wise decision going all in this year. This franchise hasn't even made the playoffs in back to back seasons since 1984 and 1985. They last won the World Series in 1985, when they defeated the Cardinals. Could we be looking at another I-70 Series this year?

Fellow Dominican countryman Edinson Volquez currently leads the Royals with nine wins this year. Volquez, who played with Cueto in Cincinnati for a few years, already said he is "thrilled" that Cueto is coming on board to the roster. A Volquez-Cueto combination will be something special to watch going forward.

The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros will most likely be the toughest opponents for the Royals come playoff time. With a vastly improved starting rotation, a lot of pressure falls on closer Greg Holland. Unfortunately for the rest of the AL, the defending pennant champions just got a lot better.

The MLB trade deadline is Friday, July 31.

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1