Pie among Pirates' six Minor League signings

The Pirates on Wednesday announced the signing of six Minor League free agents, including big league veteran outfielder Felix Pie.

Pie, who has hit .249 in 398 games with the Cubs and the Orioles but spent all last season at the Triple-A level with Atlanta, is one of three also extended non-roster invitations to Spring Training.

Also invited to Pirate City were right-handers Brooks Brown, a 27-year-old offspeed specialist who was a starter last season for Detroit's Triple-A club, and Erik Cordier, a nine-year Minor League veteran, spending most of the last three in Triple-A with the Braves.

Also signed were right-handers David Bromberg, who has spent seven seasons in the Twins' organization, and Luis Sanz, from Detroit's organization, and infielder Alex Valdez.

Valdez, 28, has knocked around three organizations (A's, Nationals, Red Sox) since 2004 and had a breakout of sorts playing in the Mexican League last summer. He hit .359 in 104 games, with 19 homers and 78 RBIs -- all career highs.