The Kansas City Royals, who are on pace to win their first division title in 30 years, bolstered their chances by acquiring right-hander Johnny Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds. As noted by Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports, they do so five days before the trade deadline, and four days after learning starter Jason Vargas would be likely requiring elbow surgery.

The deal, which was announced Sunday afternoon, sees the Royals sending three left-handed pitchers: Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed to the Reds, while receiving cash considerations along with Cueto.

The 29-year-old ace brings with him his 3.62 ERA (145 ERA+) in 130 2/2 innings this season. As noted by CBSSports.com, since his breakout season in 2011, only Clayton Kershaw, among qualifiers has posted a lower ERA. He is due to make $10 million in 2015, and is eligible for free agency in the next offseason.

The Royals are already a formidable team, being the defending AL champions, while leading the AL Central, 6 ½ games ahead of the Minnesota Twins. But they still needed a fortified rotation with the injury to Vargas, and the less than stellar play of Yordano Ventura. CBSSports.com poinst out that this season, the Royals' rotation ranks last in the AL in WAR, 11th in the AL in ERA, 14th in the AL in quality-start percentage, and last in innings per start.

But while, Cueto will almost assuredly fill a need for the Royals this season, Yahoo Sports' Brown opines that because Kansas City lacks financial might, Cueto could turn out to be a two or three-month rental with his impending free agency.

For the Reds, the best asset they get from the deal, as CBSSports.com points out, could well then be Finnegan, the 17th overall pick of the 2014 draft. The also get young talent in 25-year-old Lamb, and 22-year-old Reed to bolster their itching depth.