Adam is a 6-4, 225 pound right-hander, born August 4, 1991. As a starter he showed a 90-95 MPH fastball, averaging around 92 although he's touched as high as 97 when things are going well. He has a solid slider, but his curveball and change-up are generally no better than mediocre. This was a problem as a starter in Double-A, though in the relief role at Omaha his two key pitches played up. He usually throws strikes; the problem has been finding something to off-set the fastball and slider.
. If he can refine the change-up or curve, he could be a nice inning-eating workhorse starter. If not he could return to the bullpen.
ANALYSIS: While Adam is not an outstanding prospect, he's not a cypher: he could develop into a fourth starter or solid middle/long reliever. That's a decent return for a 35-year-old veteran like Willingham. It is a win-now move for the Royals but a defensible one given their position in the standings, and while Adam has value he was no longer considered among the organization's very top prospects.
In other words, this works for both teams.

Jason Adam, photo by Kansas City Star, via Getty Images