"Rampant rumors, strong speculation and consistent conjecture eventually culminated in one fact Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.

All-Star right fielder Hunter Pence is coming to the Phillies.

The Phillies announced after their 10-3 win over the Pirates they'd given their offense the spark expected to come from Pence's right-handed bat as they pursue a World Series title.

The cost was steep -- four minor leaguers -- but could have been steeper. The Phillies didn't part with prized rookies Domonic Brown or Vance Worley.

The 28-year-old Pence, in his fifth season, is a lifetime .290 hitter who isn't eligible for free agency until 2014. He's expected to be in the Phillies' lineup tonight against the Pirates and will likely bat fifth, manager Charlie Manuel said.

The Arlington, Texas, native was taken by the Astros in the second round of the 2004 draft. Pence is earning $6.9 million this year and is eligible for arbitration in 2012.

"We acquired, in a lot of ways somebody who is very well-rounded, the type of player we like to have here in Philadelphia," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "There's a lot of elements involved here but, clearly, the way this guy plays, the way he goes about his business, the effort, the kind of teammate he is and the fact we have him under control (contractually) for not only the end of this year but two more years, those were very, very big factors for us."