The Twins apparently want more options in their middle infield than just Alexi Casilla and Tsuyoshi Nishioka.

The team is attempting to trade for Cardinals shortstop Brendan Ryan, according to a major league source.

Ryan, 28, would give the Twins a third infielder capable of playing second and short – assuming the club signs Nishioka.

The Twins won the rights to Nishioka by posting a bid of $5.3 million. Nishioka, 26, is expected to receive a three-year deal between $9 million and $15 million. The negotiations are "progressing," according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.

Ryan is eligible for arbitration for the first time. The Cardinals began shopping him after acquiring Ryan Theriot from the Dodgers last month to be their everyday shortstop.

Defensively, Ryan is considered elite, but he slumped from a .740 OPS in 2009 to .573 in ’10 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist on Feb. 10.

Although Ryan’s greatest value is at short, he has appeared in 59 career games at second. He also played the position in college and the minors.

–Ken Rosenthal