Royals sign Clint Barmes, Ross Ohlendorf, Brian Duensing to minor league deals

The Royals have signed infielder Clint Barmes, and pitchers Ross Ohlendorf and Brian Duensing to minor league deals, according to Chris Cotillo.

The 36-year old Barmes is a 13-year Major League veteran with the Rockies, Astros, Pirates, and Padres. He is a lifetime .245/.294/.379 hitter, spending most of his time at shortstop. Last season with the Padres, he hit .232/.281/.353 in 224 plate appearances. The right-handed hitter was a plus defender in his prime, and is still a very serviceable defensive player who can play all over the infield and even has some experience in the outfield. Barmes will try to make the team as a utility infielder, but will most likely begin the year in Omaha.

Ohlendorf is an eight-year Major League veteran with the Yankees, Pirates, Padres, Nationals, and Rangers. His best year was in 2011 when he won 11 games with a 3.92 ERA, but he has had trouble staying in the big leagues since then. The 32-year old right-hander had a 3.92 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings of relief for the Rangers last year. Ohlendorf is a Princeton grad, beginning his career there just a few seasons after Royals starting pitcher Chris Young left school. Ohlendorf will likely serve as depth in Omaha, with an outside chance of competing for a bullpen role.

Duensing is a Nebraska grad and one-time teammate with Royals left-fielder Alex Gordon and each were groomsmen in each other's weddings. The left-handed relief specialist has spent his entire seven-year career with the Twins, posting a 4.13 ERA in 649 career innings. He had a 4.25 ERA in 48 2/3 innings, although he had a reverse split last year against lefties. In his career, lefties are hitting just .238/.289/.325 against him, according to Baseball Reference. He immediately becomes one of the top candidates for a lefty relief role for the Royals, competing with Brian Flynn and Scott Alexander. If he makes the team, he will earn a Major League salary of $2 million, according to Twins beat writer Mike Bernadino. The 32-year old originally hails from Marysville, Kansas.

Duensing and Barmes can opt out on 3/29, per source. Ohlendorf on 3/20. #Royals

— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) February 18, 2016