It's true: Everyone in baseball thinks he can win the World Series. Our spring training Confidential team found that 97.2% of the 110 players surveyed

honestly think they have the roster to hoist the Commissioner's Trophy. Of course, not everyone was adamant, like this pitcher from an unlikely winner:

"If everything breaks right and other teams have injuries or play really bad, we absolutely have a shot." For the truth on all the hot topics in baseball, we

promised anonymity. The intel is yours. By Morty Ain, Patrick Cain, Louise K. Cornetta, Dan Friedell and Stacey Pressman.



WHICH PLAYER DO

YOU THINK WILL BE A

BREAKOUT STAR

IN 2013?

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo

(12.1%) and Pirates outfielder

Starling Marte (8.8%) got plenty of

votes. But those who like Bruce

Rondon (7.7%) come with the most

interesting commentary. The Tigers'

22-year-old fireballing reliever has

batters lined up who aren't interested

in facing him. "Normally you don't

want a rookie closer," says a veteran

reliever. "But Rondon is scary nasty.

He's as good as the legends about

him throwing 104."

Todd Detwiler



DO YOU KNOW OF ANY

GAY PLAYERS?

The vast majority answered no (94.6%), with about an equal

split then saying some version of "Nobody would care" or "It

wouldn't bother me, but it would be a problem for other

guys" when asked to elaborate. Then there are the 5.4% who

already know of a gay colleague. "Yes, but that's as far as I

want to go, even if this is anonymous," says one NL player.

Todd Detwiler



WHICH TEAM IS THE

HOTTEST MESS

IN BASEBALL?

Players have serious opinions on this question. "It's not close: The Red Sox will

be a disaster," says an NL pitcher. "And I bet the pressure builds as the team

spirals too." Counters another pitcher: "New team, new owners, new league -- the

Astros are a complete mess." But those clubs trail one that cut about $160

million from its payroll. "What the Marlins did is a disgrace," says a catcher. "I've

talked to other players. That will be remembered by free agents for a long time."

Todd Detwiler



WHO IS

THE LAST PLAYER

YOU'D EVER WANT TO ADD TO YOUR CLUBHOUSE?

Says an NL pitcher: "I'll go with A-Rod, and I love saying it. For the

money he makes, he brings nothing but headaches. I don't know who

else could be in the conversation." After Alex Rodriguez (28.4%),

another 14.9% tab Texas' A.J. Pierzynski (below left) and a

surprising 10.8% select Brewers star Ryan Braun (center). "Nobody

likes Braun," says an AL slugger. "He cheated, and the only reason

he got off is that the old owner of the team is the commissioner."

Todd Detwiler



WHO HAS THE MOST CREATIVE



INFIELD CHATTER

IN MLB?

Players are loud and clear about the

loudest yappers: Reds second baseman

Brandon Phillips (25.8%) and free agent

utility guy Orlando Hudson (24.7%). Most

players laugh about the two infielders,

saying that even though their mouths

always run, nobody can quite follow what

they say. "It's very close," says an NL

outfielder. "I'll go with Phillips because he's

so creative that I don't even know what

he's talking about. With both guys, though,

it's just a bunch of words."

Todd Detwiler

Todd Detwiler



HOW MANY

GUNS

DO YOU OWN?

More than half of those surveyed

say they don't own any guns.

But the remaining 51

respondents have a total of 258

firearms among them (5.1 per

gun-owning player), for an

overall average of 2.4 per player.

"Let me ask you something," says

a potential Cy Young Award

winner. "If you were rich and

famous and your salary was in

the newspaper every week, would

you worry about your wife and

kids? That's why I have guns."

Todd Detwiler



WHO WILL WIN THE

WORLD SERIES?

The top three favorites all come from the AL, with votes for the

Blue Jays (18.4%), Angels (12.6%) and Tigers (10.7%) making

it clear which league has the upper hand. "I still can't believe

the Angels didn't win the World Series last year, and now they

have Josh Hamilton," says one AL veteran. "But top to bottom,

the Blue Jays are stacked and the more complete team."