PHILADELPHIA -- Andy Ashby sees returning to Philadelphia as an opportunity to take care of some unfinished business from earlier in the decade.

"The thing I look at most is to come back and try to redeem myself," said Ashby, acquired by the Phillies late Wednesday from San Diego for pitchers Carlton Loewer, Steve Montgomery and Adam Eaton.

Ashby returns to the Philadelphia organization that signed him as a non-drafted free agent in 1986. He spent the last six-plus seasons with San Diego and posted a career-best 17 wins against nine losses in 1998 during the Padres' march to the World Series.

"When I left here in '93, I said I didn't have bad feelings toward Philadelphia," Ashby said. "I totally understand the business part of it. If you don't do your job, things are going to change. I didn't pitch well when I was here."

That's not completely true.

On June 15, 1991, just five days after his major league debut, Ashby became the first Phillie ever to strike out the side on nine pitches in a start against Cincinnati. He also became just the 11th pitcher in major league history to accomplish the feat.

Less than 24 hours before this trade, Ashby didn't know he would be coming back.

"I thought it was going to be another month or July before anything would take place," Ashby said. "Me and my wife were talking last night. Next thing I know, it's 11, the phone rang and K.T. (San Diego General Manager Kevin Towers) said we have a deal done.

"I said, 'Where is it?' He said, 'Philly.' In a way it was hard, because I have all the respect in the world for San Diego.

"It's been a pretty interesting couple of weeks. But I'm happy it's over with. I'm happy to be back in Philadelphia."

Ashby stands to make a base salary of $5.9 million in 2000 and can become a free agent at the end of next season. However, he hasn't given much thought to his contract status.

"Right now, I'm just glad to be with a team," said Ashby. "I really haven't had the opportunity to become a free agent. The past two weeks I know what it feels like, though. The past couple of days, it's been pretty crazy... Right now, I'm just trying to get my feet wet and get back and do what I have to do to get ready for spring training."

As an All-Star last season, Ashby joins a staff with two fellow 1999 All-Stars: Curt Schilling and Paul Byrd.

"I think we're going to be pretty good," said Ashby. "Lord willing, we'll all stay healthy. I think the main thing we have to look at, is give our team seven or eight innings. (Allow) three or four runs or less, we got a great shot at winning, because this club is going to score runs."