By Dan Di Sciullo, MLB analyst (My Sportsbook)

2004 FINISH (58-104) - Fifth place (AL Central)

OVERVIEW

This was the year that the Kansas City Royals were supposed to contend for the division title in the so-called weak American League Central. As it turned out this season, the Royals were the weakest of the bunch.

The Royals performed well in 2003, Tony Pena's first full season as Kansas City manager, and looked like they might be turning the corner. They won 83 games -- the most by the club in 10 years -- and finished third in the division. However, this season was a complete nightmare, as the Royals dropped a franchise-record 104 games and finished 34 games out of first place.

Kansas City went out this offseason and signed veterans Benito Santiago and Juan Gonzalez, but that moved didn't help them any. Santiago and Gonzalez were both plagued by injuries and played a combined 82 games.

Since they were out of the playoff race so early, the team had no choice but to trade away franchise player Carlos Beltran, who was scheduled to become a free agent after the season. Beltran was dealt to the Astros and has since become an integral part of Houston's team.

The Royals had the worst pitching staff in the American League this season, compiling a league-high 5.15 earned run average. Only the Colorado Rockies had a higher ERA in the majors this year.

KC couldn't get it done at the plate either, as it was second from the bottom in the AL with a .259 batting average.

PEAK PERFORMER

Beltran probably would have been the team's MVP this season after hitting 15 homers in just 69 games with the Royals. However, Mike Sweeney was the team's best player despite missing the final month of the season with a back injury,

Sweeney played in just 106 games but still led the Royals in homers (22), total bases (207), runs batted in (79) and was tied for the team lead with a .287 batting average.

WEAKEST LINK

In a season full of bad years, Darrell May had the worst on the team. May was 9-19 with a 5.61 earned run average in 31 starts, coming dangerously close to the dreaded 20-loss mark. Opponents had a field day against the veteran lefthander, hitting .306 off him. May couldn't even finish strong to the season, as he went 0-4 in five September starts.

OFF-SEASON NEEDS

Last season the Royals attempted to bolster their young team with veteran help from the free-agent market. That didn't work out thanks to a rash of injuries, but it is important that they aren't scared off this offseason. They won't be able to lure big-time players to Kansas City this season, but there will definitely be a few pitchers available that could be of help to a struggling rotation. A veteran pitcher would be of great use to 20-year-old starter Zack Greinke, who was one of the few bright spots for the Royals this season.