SAN FRANCISCO -- In what could be Barry Bonds' farewell tour in 2007, all eyes may focus on the mega-athlete's pursuit of Hank Aaron's Major League record of 755 career home runs.

With 22 more blasts, Bonds will reach another milestone in his 21-year career, perhaps the most prestigious, the most stupendous and no doubt the most controversial.

Yet that is a singular quest. Whether the 42-year-old Bonds surpasses Aaron or not won't affect the more important goal of San Francisco reaching the playoffs for the first time in three disappointing seasons.

His homers and accompanying RBIs are only part of the collective whole, and electrified dingers aside, Bonds must keep those arthritic, bone-on-bone, multiple surgically repaired knees -- and his entire middle-aged body -- relatively intact and be as dynamic as he showed the second half of 2006.

That late surge, including a .292 average, 14 homers and 38 RBIs, was a warning to pitchers he had rebounded physically and emotionally from a mere .249 average over the first half, when his weakened knees forced him to often leave games early and the slugger appeared almost desperate to hit homers, swinging at pitches he normally would skip.

Said former manager Felipe Alou, "Barry had to play his way into shape."

Bonds, who turns 43 on July 24, says he dedicated the offseason to rejuvenating his legs, getting slimmer -- Bonds was noticeably heftier as last season wore on -- and strengthening his batting base, but no one will be sure until next month when Spring Training opens in Scottsdale, Ariz.

That is, unless Bonds stays at home this season and plays Wiffle ball with his kids.

His fellow starting outfielders, Dave Roberts and Randy Winn, must also do their part, and that especially holds true for right fielder Winn, at 10 years younger than Bonds and supposedly in his prime but who comes off a strangely struggling offensive season.

After a sensational second half in 2005 after being acquired from Seattle -- he hit .359 with 14 homers and 26 RBIs -- Winn hit only .262 (about 20 points lower than his MLB average) and a mere .236 with runners in scoring position.

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Why? A knee injury that lingered for four months was a huge factor, as Winn's average plummeted from .270 in the first half to .249 after the break. Winn denied the injury affected his play, but few observers bought that argument.

If Winn can stay healthy and play his usual 155 games while hitting his career mark, it will be a gigantic plus. He should also be more comfortable moving from center field to right.

The 34-year-old Roberts brings pizzazz, unrivaled energy and -- here's the kicker -- speed and basestealing talent. Roberts stole 49 bags last season at San Diego and had career highs with a .293 average, 13 triples and 129 games played.

That last stat is revealing. A best-ever 129 games?

Last year, a freak right knee contusion -- he collided with the left-field wall -- forced him to the disabled list, and in 2005 he played only 115 games, incurring a strained right groin. In 2004 he was DLed with a strained right hamstring, and he also had had neck and hamstring problems in 2003.

Vying for the fourth outfielder's spot will be front-runner Todd Linden, who had struggled in three previous stints with the Giants but broke through last season with a .273 average over 61 games, batting .302 left-handed.

The 26-year-old played flawless defense and has a knack for spectacular catches. His season started with disappointment, not making the Giants roster out of Spring Training, but a stance change boosted his game, as he hammered 30 homers and led all Minor Leaguers with a .682 slugging percentage. He also played well in winter ball.

Jason Ellison enters the season out of options. He hit .222 with the Giants initially, then tore apart Pacific Coast League pitching at Triple-A Fresno before being recalled and hitting .250 as a pinch-hitter. That's likely to be his role again as the fifth man.