We've long outgrown the $6 million man, but the age of bionic baseball players is very much upon us. Through supplements, specialized training and diets, year-round attention to health and fitness — and thanks to a less rigorous game — baseball players are lasting longer than ever in The Show.

Forget steroids. We're not talking about guys built to blast. The game is a marathon to players who are built to last. Ageless wonders like New York Mets utility player Julio Franco, 48, and Philadelphia Phillies lefthander Jamie Moyer, 44, have been in the big leagues longer than Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez, 20, has been alive.

While those old-timers may not have much fantasy appeal heading into the new season, there are plenty of geriatric big leaguers who still matter. And once you get past the hype, production is all that matters in the fantasy game.

Pop quiz: who actually enjoyed a better 2006 season? Was it aged and embattled Randy Johnson in the Bronx or young gun Hernandez in Seattle? Johnson, hands down. He racked up more wins, an equivalent number of Ks and registered a lower WHIP.

Consider these numbers: Pete Rose collected 172 hits in 1982. Ted Williams smacked 29 homers in 1960. Stan Musial drove in 82 runs in 1962. Paul Molitor scored 75 runs in 1998. Rickey Henderson stole 36 bases in 2000. Roger Clemens won 18 games in 2004. Dennis Eckersley recorded 30 saves in 1996. Nolan Ryan fanned 228 batters in 1988.

What's the common thread? These Hall of Fame-caliber players each put up those stats as 41-year-olds.

It may be fun to discover the next big thing. But why not stick with a sure thing? Veteran ball players that have consistently produced for 15 or more seasons are a safe bet to do it again. They may be over 40, but they are hardly over-the-hill. Here are eight to watch:

Yeah, everyone except Barry Bonds himself would like to see him slink off into retirement. His "Game of Shadows" has cast a Giant-sized umbrella of suspicion over his quest to become Major League Baseball's new home run king. Nevertheless, Bonds is the preeminent slugger of his generation.

Bonds, 42, struggled in 2006 to get back the form that made him baseball's most feared hitter after three surgeries to repair his right knee sidelined him for most of 2005. The leftfielder hit just .270 with 26 homers, 77 RBI and 74 runs in 367 at bats a year ago, his lowest collective full-season output since 1989.

So will Bonds continue to slide in 2007? Update! says no. The man has mashed 734 career home runs and owns a .608 slugging percentage in 21 big-league seasons. He's also just 159 hits shy of 3,000. Beloved or beguiled, Bonds will not quit until he's made history. If he doesn't end the season in handcuffs, don't be surprised if Bonds rebounds in a big way. Look for a 30-homer season.

For all of New York Mets GM Omar Minaya's wrangling, it was his acquisition of El Duque from the Arizona Diamondbacks that solidified the rotation and helped propel the Mets to their first National League East title since 1988. Minaya shipped underachieving reliever Jorge Julio on May 24th and got the 40-year-old Cuban in return.

Hernandez has pitched in seven postseasons and competed in five World Series, lastly as member of the Chicago White Sox in 2005. That kind of experience can't be underestimated and his presence seemed to buoy his Flushing teammates. El Duque went 9-7 with the Mets with a 4.09 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 112 strikeouts in 116.2 innings.

El Duque, a No. 3 or 4 starter, resigned with the Mets for two years and $12 million in November. His torn calf muscle, which kept him from pitching in the NLCS, should be healed. It's not unreasonable to expect bigger numbers with a full season in Queens. He's not a high draft pick, but could be a late-round steal as a productive No. 4 pitcher.

The skeptic in you says Johnson is about done. But then the Arizona Diamondbacks reportedly seek to acquire the 43-year-old lefthander — perhaps the greatest lefty ever — and sign him to a multi-year contract. In the words of Borat, "Whaaaat?"

The Big Unit has suffered through two underwhelming seasons as a New York Yankee and endured the withering media criticism that comes with playing in the Bronx. Nevertheless, his numbers were far from bad. Johnson, despite a chronic back problem, went 17-11 with a 5.00 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 172 strikeouts in 205 innings a year ago.

Johnson had off-season surgery to repair herniated disc in his lower back and may not be ready for the regular season. But considering Johnson's 280-147 career record and 4,544 strikeouts, the quest to hit milestone marks may keep him in the game a while longer. And a move to Arizona would only help revitalize the aging lefty. If he progresses as expected from surgery, Johnson is definitely worth a mid-round pick.

You've got to know when to hold 'em, and Rogers, 42, is a keeper. Although he's never enjoyed a 20-win season in an 18-year career, Rogers has won 16 or more games five times and is 207-139 lifetime.

He went from media villain to Detroit darling in the span of one year. One season after serving a 13-game suspension and coughing up $50,000 for shoving a cameraman while with the Texas Rangers, Rogers started fresh in Detroit, where he signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Tigers.

All Rogers did was go 17-8 with a 3.84 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 99 strikeouts in 204 innings in 2006. He helped transform the fourth-place Tigers into the American League champs. Don't look for him to pile up the strikeouts, but he'll continue to win games and sport an economical ERA in pitcher-friendly Comerica Park. Rogers is another solid mid-round selection.

He's outspoken and unapologetic. But Schilling backs it up on the field and has World Series titles (in 2001 with Arizona and 2004 as a Red Sox) to match. This Boston Red Sox ace became the poster child of an entire franchise as he labored through Game 6 of the ALCS and Game 2 of the 2004 World Series with a bloodied sock.

Schilling, 40, had surgery immediately after the season to repair a ruptured torn sheath on his right ankle. The ankle injury made him a non-factor in 2005. But Schilling rebounded from an injury-filled 2005 and went 15-7 with a 3.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 183 strikeouts in 204 innings. It wasn't quite the Cy Young-caliber performances of 2001 and 2004 (he finished second each season), but it was a fantasy owners' delight.

This six-time All-Star has always come up big. And with a retooled rotation and lineup sure to give the Sox a boost, Schilling could be poised for a big year. He's tough, prideful and respected. That means Schilling will get a total effort when he’s on the mound. He's a high-to-mid-round selection.

Smoltz, 40, enters his 19th big league season — all spent with the Atlanta Braves — as the last holdover from the dynasty GM John Schuerholz built. This ageless righthander and seven-time All-Star went 16-9 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 211 strikeouts in 232 innings a year ago. It was easily his best performance as a starter — he was the team's closer from 2001-04 — since 1997.

Smoltz owns 14 division titles and five World Series appearances. Even though the Braves failed to make the postseason for the first time since time since 1990, there's little sign that Smoltz is slowing down.

He's still an excellent fastball pitcher. The Braves signaled as much by reportedly picking up an $8 million club option for 2007. Smoltz apparently still has a few fantasy-worthy seasons in the tank. The Braves struggled at times a year ago, but not Smoltz. He should be considered a top pitching option in all fantasy leagues.

Stanton, who turns 40 in June, will get a fresh start as the closer in Cincinnati after agreeing to a two-year, $5.5 million deal in November. Always the setup man but rarely the stopper, Stanton has just 84 saves in 18 big-league seasons.

But he can still pitch. He went 7-7 with 8 saves, a 3.99 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 48 strikeouts in 67.2 innings while splitting time in Washington and San Francisco a year ago. He's made 11 postseason appearances and three World Series with the Yankees.

Cincinnati isn't the Bronx. Stanton is expected to share the closer duties with another aged reliever, David Weathers. Another 40-year-old lefty, Rheal Cormier, could log plenty of innings in the setup role. All and all, consider Stanton as a late-round pickup at closer in larger or NL-only leagues.

This gifted shortstop survived the influx of offensive shortstops and is still a lynchpin at the position long after the likes of Alex Rodriguez and Nomar Garciappara have moved on.

Vizquel, always a great defensive player, flexed his fantasy muscle a year ago. He batted .295 with 58 RBI, 88 runs and 24 stolen bases for a Giants lineup that lacked punch. He's 40 and figures to still bat at or near the top of the lineup.

The Giants went winter shopping, resigning Barry Bonds, Pedro Feliz and Ray Durham while adding ace Barry Zito. That seemingly elevates the Giants to contender in the NL West, one year after its third-place finish. What does all that mean to Vizquel? He'll see plenty of good pitches and have the muscle behind him to drive him in. Consider Vizquel a low-cost alternative to ARod and a strong contributor for owners who value runs and steals.