if this is intentional on the part of the front office. They clearly want to keep their information close to the vest, and I wouldn’t put it past them to put out conflicting information to two Royals reporters just to keep the unwashed masses in the dark.

Then again, I just love a good conspiracy theory.

I think a lot of reported rumblings — such as Dutton’s “developing scenario” with Callaspo — are just thoughts, ideas and random comments from front office personnel. There are many, many people in a MLB organization’s front office. They all have ideas, and some of them talk to the media. When they are candid about their thoughts and ideas, they know guys like Dutton won’t name them in the article.

Long story short, we shouldn’t get too bent out of shape (or too excited) by various rumors, thoughts, ideas and possibilities that guys like Mellinger, Dutton and Kaegel report. They don’t make this stuff up, but there’s still little reason to believe that any of it is reflective of actual plans of the organization.