After officially announcing the signing of Todd Leathers, a move first reported in the Democrat last week, the Somerset Patriots announced three more players they hope will bring them a record fourth championship.

With the season now less than a month away, the team agreed to deals with three pitchers; re-signing Tony Mounce and bringing in fresh faces R.D. Spiehs and Sam Marsonek.

It looked like the 32-year-old Mounce's career had come to an end last season following his release from Somerset after only six games last season. But it turns out that the southpaw had a hunch he'd be coming back this year.

"My arm was still bothering me at the time," said the former Texas Ranger. "But I sat down with Brett (Jodie) and Sparky (Lyle), and they said they wanted me back this season."

Mounce credited his experience in the league last year as a main reason for deciding to come back in 2007.

"It was excellent, there were a lot of players there that I didn't understand why they weren't with a big league organization," he said.

Speaking of the big leagues, that's where Marsonek was just three years ago, appearing in one game for the New York Yankees in 2004.

Following June surgery to repair a damaged labrum and rotator cuff in his right arm, he looks to make his first professional appearance since 2005.

"I feel great, there's no pain," said Marsonek, who's been throwing for the past three months.

"(Somerset) is a place for me to come back and get some innings in."

According to pitching coach and director of player procurement Brett Jodie, who played with Marsonek in the Yankees organization, the 28-year-old righty is likely to come out of the bullpen.

"I've seen him pitch a lot, he's got overpowering stuff," Jodie said.

While Mounce is headed to the starting rotation, Marsonek will be joined in the bullpen by Spiehs, who pitched for the Double-A Connecticut Defenders last season.

Patriots Notes: Published reports had Patriots star outfielder Ryan Radmanovich headed back to his native Canada to play for the independent Edmonton Cracker Cats, where he'd be joining former Patriots teammate and fellow countryman Mike Johnson.

However, all indications still point to Radmanovich returning to Somerset this season, although he might not be there when the season starts due to personal reasons.

"He's been an integral part of our team, the door is open for him," Patriots GM Patrick McVerry said.

Matt Dryer, a key component on the 2003 Patriots championship team, was recently released by the St. Louis Cardinals and is also rumored to be heading back to the Atlantic League.

Dryer, who was surprised that he'd been released after hitting .300 in Triple-A with St. Louis this spring, confirmed that Somerset and York were likely destinations in a brief phone interview.

Adam Gladstone, who brought Dryer to the Patriots and is now in charge of player procurement for York and three other teams, acknowledged that he has been in contact with Dryer regarding a return to the Atlantic League.

Somerset also held their open tryouts last Saturday, and pitchers Dave Pahucki and Tim Bausher were some of the more experienced names to show up.

Pahucki reached Double-A with the Red Sox in 2005, while Bausher split his 2006 season with Triple-A Louisville and Pawtucket.

Patriots officials have left the door open to Bausher, and expect to hear from him by press time. While Sparky Lyle, who invited Bausher to the event, was impressed by what he saw, McVerry said that Bausher has received interest from other teams and may want to pitch closer to his Pennsylvania home.

Pahucki, who last pitched with the Can-Am League's Nashua Pride last season, is unlikely to receive an invite.

Around the Atlantic League: Albie Lopez, a pitcher who won a World Series ring in 2001 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, headlined a group of 11 signings announced by the Bridgeport Bluefish.

According to Gladstone, Lopez will be in manager Tommy John's starting rotation.

"He'd like the opportunity to start, and we're hoping to give that to him," he said.

Lopez has also pitched for the Braves, Devil Rays, Royals and Indians during his 11-year MLB career.