Journeyman Julio Franco has signed to manage the Gulf Coast Mets and former catcher Mike DiFelice will skipper the Kingsport Mets, according to The Associated Press.
Franco, who played for the Mets from 2006-07, will be joined at Gulf Coast by pitching coach Frank Fultz, hitting coach Tom McCraw and additional instructor Luis Rojas.
DiFelice spent 13 seasons in the major leagues and was with the Mets from 2005-07 before spending last year with Tampa Bay. He’ll be assisted by hitting coach Ryan Ellis, pitching coach Jonathan Hurst and bench coach Juan Lopez.
In addition, the Mets agreed to a minor-league contract with 34-year-old infielder Junior Spivey, who hasn’t appeared in the major leagues since 2005. He played in two games with Boston during spring training last year, then was released.
