CLEVELAND — White Sox general manager Chris Getz declined to comment on the resignation of scouting director Mike Shirley on Saturday, and the organization has termed the departure as “a personnel matter.” League sources confirmed to the Sun-Times that Shirley resigned while on administrative leave because of an internal investigation.
No one will be elevated to his position on an interim basis, with a meaningful outside hire ultimately possible. Getz, who has overseen pro scouting as it has become what he calls a “spoke” in the larger wheel of the Sox’ player acquisition department, repeatedly has suggested the amateur scouting operation Shirley ran was already in line to be restructured.
“We’re looking at a lot of different ways of conducting business on that front — not just a clear restructure — and we’ve been doing that for a while,” Getz said. “Once that’s mapped out, we’ll figure out what the needs are for the organization.”
Getz, who said the Sox are reviewing their entire player-evaluation process, didn’t seem concerned about a New York Times report indicating that concerns were raised about Shirley’s conduct last month at the Area Code Games, an event in Long Beach, California, that was well-attended by evaluators across Major League Baseball.
“We’ve got a really good group of people that are talented and really love working here,” Getz said. “My job is to find pathways for us to get to good decisions.”
Castillo going in ‘wrong direction’
Right-hander Luis Castillo was a pitcher with a great career having a poor season with the Mariners when the Sox acquired him Aug. 2, feeling that with more changeup use and some tweaks in his pitching delivery, he could be restored to previous heights.
Instead, with Castillo sporting a 7.76 ERA in a Sox uniform and his velocity flagging to the low-90s in his last start, his trajectory has gone in the other way.
“The quality of the pitches have definitely gone the wrong direction,” Getz said. “It has been surprising.”
Castillo, 33, is under contract through 2027 (with a 2028 vesting option), so the Sox are committed to finding a fix for his woes. But with two weeks left in the regular season, they have yet to say when his next outing will be, or what form it will take.
“We’re running out of time,” Getz said. “Big picture-wise, we’ve got some work to do.”
Quero to play winter ball
Having fallen out of the Sox’ catching rotation after entering last season as a top-100 prospect, Edgar Quero said he intends to play in the Dominican winter league (LIDOM) this offseason.
The 23-year-old, who acknowledges his future role with the Sox is uncertain, estimates he’ll play for four to six weeks. Although he hasn’t discussed the decision with the Sox yet, indications are they’ll support the idea.
Quero said he believes he’s better than his .203/.284/.257 batting line in 69 games this season.