SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- In a sense, little has changed for the San Francisco Giants. Barry Bonds still rules the roost, and management has assembled a fresh crew of veterans to complement him in an attempt to end the team's three-year postseason drought.

A riveting season is in store for the Giants no matter how they perform. With 734 career home runs, Bonds will sustain a season-long pursuit of Hank Aaron's all-time record of 755. Barry Zito, who signed a seven-year, $126 million contract, will attempt to make a smooth transition from the American League to the National. And the season's first half will include the buildup toward the 78th All-Star Game, scheduled for July 10 at AT&T Park.

Team strength: The starting rotation appears to be as solid as it has been in years. Zito gives the team a proven winner. Matt Cain, a budding ace at age 22, will try to sustain his development. Noah Lowry and Matt Morris hope to rebound from disappointing 2006 seasons. If they don't watch out, both could be eclipsed by Russ Ortiz, who began Spring Training as a candidate for the rotation's No. 5 spot and ended it as the most consistent Giants starter in the Cactus League.

Achilles heel: The heart of the Giants' batting order could use a pacemaker. When Bonds batted cleanup in early exhibitions, they lacked a true No. 3 hitter. Now that Bonds is likely to bat third, they're bereft of a legitimate presence in the fourth spot. Ray Durham, who has thrived batting fifth, probably will begin the season at cleanup, although Rich Aurilia, Pedro Feliz and Ryan Klesko, when he leaves the bench, could receive chances to hit fourth.

Top newcomer: Zito's an obvious choice. He compiled a 102-63 record in 6 1/2 seasons with Oakland, won a Cy Young Award in 2002 and is still only 28. One of his most impressive credentials is never having missed a start. But the Giants also should receive a boost from center fielder Dave Roberts, who established himself as a competent leadoff hitter from 2005-06 with San Diego.

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Ready to make the leap: Cain seems poised to ascend from good to great. After lurching to a 1-5 start with a 7.04 ERA in his first seven starts last season, he finished 12-7 with a 3.34 ERA in his last 24 outings. He became the eighth Giants rookie to lead the team in victories since 1900.

On the hot seat: If you know shortstop Omar Vizquel, you realize that he's eternally calm. But his desire for a two-year contract extension will intensify the focus on his performance. Since Vizquel turns 40 on April 24, he'll face extra pressure to maintain the all-around excellence that he has shown the Giants.

You can bank on: On a team filled with aging veterans and unproven pitchers, the only thing the Giants know for sure is that Bonds still can scare the sanitary socks off any pitcher. He'll turn 43 on July 24, but his legs appear to be in better shape than they have been since 2004, which will give him a sturdy foundation for his powerful swing.

Litmus test: Even if the Giants muster sufficient offense and receive decent starting pitching, that won't matter if the bullpen falters. Armando Benitez, who has blown 12 saves and absorbed five defeats in 71 Giants appearances over 2005-06, likely will receive one more chance to prove that he can close games. If he can't, 25-year-old Brian Wilson is the next logical choice to preserve ninth-inning leads. Left-hander Steve Kline and right-hander Kevin Correia will join Wilson in the setup role.

Games you don't want to miss:
Padres, April 3-5: Bruce Bochy begins his Giants managerial career against the team he piloted for the previous 12 seasons, a tenure that included four first-place finishes in the NL West.

At Red Sox, June 15-17: San Francisco makes its first Interleague visit to Boston's Fenway Park. It'll be the first meaningful confrontation of these historic franchises in Boston since the 1912 World Series.

Yankees, June 22-24: Another intriguing Interleague matchup brings New York to San Francisco in games that count for the first time since the 1962 World Series.

Dodgers, July 13-15: By this juncture, the NL West race will have taken shape. It's guaranteed to intensify as these traditional rivals collide in the first series following the All-Star break.