Negotiations on a contract extension between the Cardinals and Adam Wainwright continue to accelerate with a mutually understood deadline of Opening Day.

Sources on both sides indicate that an agreement will likely come before Wainwright throws his first pitch of the 2013 season.

"The St. Louis Cardinals and Adam Wainwright aggressively continue to work to a resolution on his contract status," John Mozeliak said. "And there is a sincere desire as there has always been to find a way to extend Adam. As opening day draws near, talks are intensifying and both parties agree that resolution is best sooner rather than later."

Wainwright, 31, is entering the final year of a contract he signed during spring training 2008 that will end up being a six-year, $36-million deal.