9:43 PM ET

According to sources, the St. Louis Cards are close to a deal to acquire left-handed pitcher Jose Quintana from the Pirates.

He battled ineffectiveness the previous two seasons before he found his footing with Pittsburgh. Ever reliant on command and control, Quintana has looked like the pitcher of his prime, throwing 103 out of 3.50ERA with 89 strikeouts and 31 walks.

One of the best bargains of the winter was the $2 million signing by the Pittsburgh Pirates. It will flip him to a division rival that has taken hits with recent injuries to its most talented starter, Jack Flaherty, and its big free agent signing, Steven Matz.

In order to catch the first-place Milwaukee Brewers, who traded their All-Star closer, Josh Hader, theCardinals had inquired across a broad spectrum of starting pitchers, but landed on the one they felt was the most likely to help them.

A source says that the Pirates will receive a pitching and a hitting prospect in the deal. Washington outfielder Juan Soto, who could be traded to the Cardinals, San Diego Padres or Los Angeles Dodgers if he stays with the Nationals, is their top priority.