St. Louis Cardinals move quickly to improve rotation with Jose Quintana

The St. Louis Cardinals did not sit around after missing out on their top trade target for the rotation.

Once Frankie Montas landed with the Yankees, the Cardinals had to do something. Hours later, they struck as according to Jeff Passan, they have acquired Jose Quintana from the Pirates. According to Francys Romero, Johan Oviedo and Malcom Nunez are heading back to Pittsburgh in return.

St. Louis Cardinals land needed rotation piece in Jose Quintana

This is exactly what the Pirates were hoping for when they signed Quintana as a reclamation project. He more than fulfilled his end of the bargain, posting a 3.50 ERA and a 1.272 WHiP over his 103 innings, striking out 89 batters with 31 walks. While he has not pitched deep into games, averaging just over five innings an outing and having completed at least six innings just five times, he has been able to keep runs off the board.

The Cardinals gave up a pair of interesting players for Quintana. Oviedo had been a well regarded prospect as he came up through their system although he was unable to find that degree of success in the majors before spending most of his time in the bullpen this year. Still just 24 years old, he has a mid 90s fastball and a slider that he can manipulate to look like a cutter. While he also has a curve and a change, both offerings are fringy at best, making a late inning role probable. However, he will likely get another chance to prove himself in the rotation for Pittsburgh.

Nunez is an intriguing prospect due to his bat. While he has spent time at both first and third, he is relatively limited defensively and is likely to spend most of his time as a designated hitter in the majors. He has plenty of raw power and an innate ability to adjust to breaking pitches in the midst of his swing, allowing him to make contact. Nunez is a bit of a free swinger, although he has improved his approach at the plate this season. If that adjustment holds, and he can stay at first, he could be a building block for the Pirates.

This was a deal both teams needed to make. Oviedo was not going to get much of a chance in St. Louis, and the Cardinals have a similar player to Nunez in Juan Yepez. Meanwhile, Quintana gives the Cardinals a pitcher they sorely needed after missing out on Frankie Montas and Luis Castillo.

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired Jose Quintana from the Pittsburgh Pirates for Johan Oviedo and Malcom Nunez. This is a trade they could remember for some time.