[Illusion]

Right-handed pitcher Ryan Franklin has agreed to terms on a one-year, guaranteed $2.6 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The deal includes unspecified incentive bonuses based on innings and games pitched.

Franklin, 32, became a free agent when Seattle declined to offer him a contract by the Dec. 20 deadline. The Washington Nationals were among the other clubs to have expressed an interest in him.

Franklin joins Brett Myers, Jon Lieber and Cory Lidle in the Philadelphia rotation. The Phillies have also explored the option of moving reliever Ryan Madson to the rotation. Gavin Floyd, Robinson Tejeda and Eude Brito could also compete for starting spots in spring training, and the Phillies expect Randy Wolf to return from reconstructive elbow surgery by midseason.

Franklin is 35-50 with a 4.34 ERA in six seasons with Seattle. He has a 12-31 record over the past two seasons, but suffered from the worst run support in the major-leagues during that span.

The Phillies were attracted to Franklin in part by his durability. He has averaged 31 starts and 201 innings over the past three seasons.

"He's a competitor who pitches deep into ballgames and has been a consistent starter in the American League for the last few years," Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said. "His innings show that he's been durable and he definitely adds depth to our rotation."

Last year Franklin received a 10-day suspension for violating baseball's steroid policy. He told reporters that he used a supplement he bought at a nutrition store, and that he had "no idea'' how he tested positive.

[bigboydan]

why in the world would philly sign this loser in the first place.

this guy was sent down to the minnors last year to re-gain his form, and couldn't do it.

[Illusion]

In his defense he wasn't getting shit for run support.

[bigboydan]

ILL, the guy was getting more hits off of him than ebay was.

[Illusion]

Maybe the league change will benefit him. I'll be keeping my eye on him during spring training.