Barney is expected to begin the season as the utility infielder, and he also could start at second base against left-handed pitching. Ryan Goins will be the starter at second until Devon Travis returns from left-shoulder surgery, but that isn't expected to happen until late May or early June.
Team president Mark Shapiro met with the media earlier Wednesday afternoon, and while he didn't get into the specifics, he made it clear his team was on the verge of signing someone.
"Today was a good day, I think we made significant progress on filling one hole," Shapiro said.