Yankees Sign Greg Smith, Cory Wade

The Yankees have signed southpaw Greg Smith and right-hander Cory Wade to minor league contracts, according to the International League's transactions page.  Both pitchers will report to Triple-A Scranton.

Smith, 27, was released by the Rockies in April and he has a career 4.51 ERA in 40 Major League starts with Oakland and Colorado.  The lefty has been part of two of the biggest trades in recent years — he was part of the package (which also included Carlos Gonzalez, Brett Anderson and Chris Carter) sent by the Diamondbacks to the A's in the Dan Haren trade in December 2007.  Smith was then moved along with Gonzalez and Huston Street to the Rockies for Matt Holliday in November 2008.

Wade signed a minor league deal with the Rays last winter which included a clause that allowed him to opt out if he wasn't in the majors by a certain date.  Wade told the Rays he was going to invoke that clause and thus Tampa Bay released him over the weekend.  Wade posted a 2.27 ERA and an 0.93 WHIP in 55 relief appearances with the Dodgers in his 2008 rookie season, but struggled in 2009 and spent 2010 in the minors.  The right-hander had a 1.23 ERA and a 5.67 K/BB ratio in 36 2/3 innings for Triple-A Durham this season.