The national pastime has largely been disassociated with steroid scandals, but according to a report in Wednesday's New York Times, some baseball insiders believe performance-enhancing drug use is on the rise and possibly widespread.

The Times, which interviewed more than 25 major league strength coaches, general managers, league officials and players, reported there is a "general view that steroid abuse has become a problem in baseball, perhaps even widespread."

Major League Baseball does not randomly test players for steroids or other drugs that may improve performance. While it is discouraged by baseball officials, there are no specific rules against it.

"I think it's very prevalent," The Times quotes a general manager on the West Coast as saying. "You look at some of these massive bodies you see these days. It's like middle linebackers are playing baseball."

The general manager, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said he believed at least a third of major leaguers are steroid users.

Florida Marlins outfielder Cliff Floyd estimates that 40 percent of major leaguers have used steroids.

"That's off the top of my head, but I come up with that number from talking to a lot of players," Floyd told The Times. "Players nowadays feel if it looks like it can help you, they'll try it. That's how the game is and that's probably how it's going to be for a long time."

According to the report, baseball officials are pressing the Major League Players' Association to have a testing program be included in the next collective bargaining agreement.

"There have been a number of observations made by people who are somewhat knowledgeable in this area and they believe strongly that there is usage," vice president for baseball operations Sandy Alderson said. "I think at this point it is safe to say Major League Baseball and the players association are reviewing this situation."

The Times cited a number of examples that point to a growing trend of steroid use in baseball.