PHILADELPHIA -- Right-hander Terry Adams agreed Monday to a $2.9 million, one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

	Adams

Adams was 7-9 with a 4.35 earned-run average in 46 appearances in his first season with the Phillies last year. He began the season as a starter, before moving to the bullpen, where he had spent most of his eight-year career. He became a free agent after the season, then accepted the Phillies' offer of salary arbitration.

"It was great to have Terry decide to come back to us after filing for free agency,'' Phillies general manager Ed Wade said. "We think he'll prosper in the role of full-time relief pitcher.''

The Phillies also signed left-handed reliever Hector Mercado, and minor leaguer right-hander Eric Junge and minor-league outfielder Jorge Padilla.

Mercado was 2-2 with a 4.62 ERA in 31 appearances, including three starts. He'll get paid at a rate of $330,000 on the major league roster and $204,000 if he's in the minors pitches in the minors.

Adams was Philadelphia's only significant offseason acquisition following the 2001 season after winning a career-high 12 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He signed an incentive-laden $2.7 million, one-year contract last January, and opened the year as the No. 3 starter behind Robert Person and Vicente Padilla.

But after going 4-7 with a 5.00 ERA in 19 starts, Adams was replaced by former first-round pick Brett Myers in the rotation.

Adams had success as a reliever, posting a 2.38 ERA in 27 appearances, including an 0.91 ERA in his last 16 games. He'll join closer Jose Mesa, right-hander Turk Wendell and left-handers Rheal Cormier and Dan Plesac in Philadelphia's veteran bullpen.

The Phillies have no more players eligible for arbitration. Right-hander Kevin Millwood, acquired from the Atlanta Braves in December, agreed to a $9.9 million, one-year contract on Jan. 17. Second baseman Placido Polanco, acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals last July, agreed to a one-year contract worth $2,875,000 on Jan. 30.

Philadelphia has been the most aggressive team in the major leagues this offseason, signing first baseman Jim Thome, third baseman David Bell, acquiring Millwood and extended the contracts of left fielder Pat Burrell and left-hander Randy Wolf.

Once considered among the most frugal teams in baseball, the Phillies have committed almost $185 million this offseason to Thome, Millwood, Burrell, Bell and Wolf.

The Phillies open their most anticipated training camp in almost a decade on Friday when pitchers and catchers report. The first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 19.