KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals bolstered their offence Monday by acquiring outfielder Josh Willingham from the Minnesota Twins, a move the long-suffering franchise hopes will help them end a playoff drought that stretches back nearly three decades. Kansas City had won seven straight games entering its series opener against Oakland, climbing into the second wild-card spot and a half-game back of AL Central-leading Detroit. The Royals have not been to the post-season since 1985, when they beat St. Louis to win the World Series. "Obviously the goal was to win with the Twins," Willingham said from Houston, where the Twins were preparing to play the Astros. "Unfortunately, we werent. Now I have a chance to go help another club and hopefully make the playoffs." Willingham is expected to arrive in Kansas City in time for Tuesday nights game. The Twins picked up minor league pitcher Jason Adam in the trade, while the Royals agreed to take on the remainder of Willinghams contract -- about $1.8 million of the $7 million that he was making in the final year of his three-year deal. Willingham was hitting just .210 for the Twins this season, but his 12 homers in limited at-bats were appealing for a Royals club that has struggled to find power. The 35-year-old Willingham hit a career-best 35 homers with 110 RBIs two years ago. "We see his presence in the middle of our lineup somewhere, and being that presence that can get some big hits for us," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "He had a big hit yesterday actually against Oakland. Hes a professional. Hes a winner. We feel very strong that hes going to help our team. Hes the type of player and presence that you add at this time of year." Moore said that Willingham is more likely to serve as a designated hitter than play in the outfield, where there is already a logjam of players. Billy Butler, the clubs normal DH, has been forced to play first base while Eric Hosmer is on the disabled list with a right hand injury. "I think hell be in the lineup most days as we set up right now," Moore said. The Royals cleared space for Willingham on the 40-man roster by requesting unconditional release waivers on right-hander Wilking Rodriguez. They will still have to make a move to add Willingham to the 25-man roster when he reports to Kansas City. "It doesnt soak in immediately," Willingham said. "Its one of those things you dont know what your mind is processing. You know its going on but you have mixed emotions. Any time youre saying goodbye to really good friends, its tough, but at the same time -- the other side of it, the baseball side of it -- theyre winning over there. From a business side, its good for me." The 23-year-old Adam, who grew up in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, was 5-9 with a 4.67 ERA with Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha this season. And while the Royals had toyed with making him a reliever, the Twins intend to convert him back to a starter. He will be assigned to the clubs Double-A affiliate in New Britain. "His stuff is pretty impressive," Twins GM Terry Ryan said. "You look at his bio, his numbers arent eye-popping, but you see him play, a number of our people have put in good reports on him. Were going to slow him down a bit and see if we cant get some of that under control." Nike Air Max 270 React Black . -- Jacksonvilles offensive makeover is just getting starting. Nike Air Max 270 Triple White Womens . The NFLs Defensive Rookie of the Year will be named at the NFL Honours Award show on February 1. The 23-year-old 2013 second-rounder out of Oregon becomes the third Bills linebacker to win the honour after Jim Haslett (1979) and Shane Conlan (1987. http://www.max270cheap.com/nike-men-s-ai...ah8050-106.html. -- Another baseball tradition is about to largely disappear: a manager, with a crazed look in his eyes, charging the field and getting into a face-to-face shouting match with an umpire. Nike Air Max 270 React Hyper Jade . His big 2-minute outburst in the fourth quarter Tuesday night is all that really mattered for the Dallas Mavericks. Air Max 270 White Cheap . Off-season additions Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley did not train with the club today, prompting Nelsen to declare its too early to tell if either will be ready for Saturday.DETROIT -- A person with knowledge of the talks says the Detroit Pistons and Jeff Bower are nearing an agreement that would make him the teams general manager. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deal was not yet final. The Pistons hired Stan Van Gundy as their coach and team president last month. Bower was the coach aat Marist College last season, but he resigned Monday.dddddddddddd Athletic director Tim Murray said in a statement that Bower was leaving for "a very specific and compelling NBA opportunity." Bower was previously a general manager and coach in the NBA, holding both those positions with the New Orleans Hornets in 2009-10. ' ' '