Now that the ink has dried on the last few contracts, the Somerset Patriots are ready to head down to Lakeland, Fla. for Atlantic League Spring Training.

Pitchers Jason Anderson and Casey Cahill, catcher Michel Hernandez, outfielders Adrian Brown, Mike Lockwood, Noah Hall and Sean Gamble were all added to mix over the past week.

The moves give Somerset 27 players competing for a likely 24 spots, according to Director of Player Procurement Brett Jodie.

Jodie, who also serves as the team's pitching coach, indicated that the roster will be comprised of 12 pitchers and 12 position players.

Hernandez is penciled in as the starting catcher, and is also someone who's served as Jodie's battery mate while they were together in the Yankees system.

"I've pitched to him before, he's a very good receiver," said Jodie, who noted the team still has confidence in last year's backstop, Travis Anderson.

Lockwood is a sure bet to be another one of the 12 position players breaking camp with Somerset, an electric outfielder who returns to Somerset after leaving the team for Taiwan last year.

"He did very well for us when he was here," Jodie said. "We were very happy to be able to get him back this season."

Brown is another lock for the outfield, as he has more Major League experience than anybody on the roster. He also hopes to become the third member of the 2003 "Cowboy Up" Boston Red Sox team that the Patriots have sent back to affiliated ball, with Jason Shiell and Hector Almonte going to the Braves and Cubs respectively.

"(Patriots GM) Patrick McVerry had a lot to do with that signing," Jodie said, noting that Brown has the same agent as Dave Elder, who will serve as the team's closer.

“Adrian’s experience at the Major League level will make him a threat in our lineup. He’s a guy who spent time last season in the Majors and has shown to be a solid player at every level of the game,” said McVerry in a team statement.

Brian Reith, Tony Mounce, Andy Van Hekken, Josh Stewart and Chris Rojas will comprise the starting rotation. Although Van Hekken was the Opening Day starter last year, there's no clear cut favorite on who'll get the nod this year.

Cahill, an Immaculata grad with time in the Orioles system, will be one of nine pitchers competing for seven spots in the bullpen. Anderson, Elder, Brian Adams, Saul Solveson, Jason Richardson, Phil Norton, R.D. Spiehs and Sam Marsonek are the others vying for spots.

Around the Atlantic League: The Long Island Ducks continued their quest to become Major League Baseball's unofficial 31st team, signing some more high profile players over the past week. Former MLB All-Star closer Danny Graves, veteran lefty John Halama and 2005 World Series Champion Carl Everett are the latest big names to join the flock. The controversial Everett is a 14-year big league veteran and is probably best remembered for headbutting an umpire while with the Red Sox...Newark signed Bobby Brownlie, a local pitcher who was drafted out of Rutgers by the Cubs, and Victor Rodriguez, who won AL MVP honors with the Patriots several years ago.