PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks have obtained option waivers on right-hander Trevor Cahill, sources said Tuesday, with the intention of sending him to the minor leagues in a starting role.
The only thing standing in the way is Cahill's consent.
Since Cahill has more than five years of major league service time, he can refuse a minor-league assignment and declare himself a free agent. In conversations Monday, however, Cahill seemed to indicate he would accept a return to the minors as a starter.
"I want to be a starter, and however I get back to that, it's whatever I have to do," Cahill said.
"I trust them. After everything that's happened, they still believe I can come back and be a starter and help this team win. They've been nothing but supportive. I can't ask for anything more."
Cahill was designated for assignment on Monday, giving the D-backs 10 days to release, outright, trade or option him. He is 1-6 with a 5.66 ERA this year after winning at least 10 games in four of his first five major league seasons, topping out at 18 in 2010. Cahill has been working out of the bullpen since going 0-4 with a 9.17 in his first four starts.
The D-backs will owe Cahill about $17 million even if he is optioned, including a prorated portion of his $7.7 million 2014 salary and $12.3 million in salary and option buyouts through 2015.
"They paid me a lot of money to be a starter, and that's what I want to be," Cahill said.
"It's not that (money). It's just not doing anything to help the team pitching. I just want to be the best player I can. If it was Little League I'd feel the same way. You want to be the best you can be. This is a step they had to take."
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