Ryan Dempster threw on the side Friday, hit with the Cubs pitchers, and then joined his teammates in the outfield during batting practice. It was a normal day for the right-hander, who has had anything but normal days leading up to Tuesday’s Trade Deadline. Dempster (5-5, 2.25 ERA) is on track to make his next start, which would be Tuesday, just a few hours after the Trade Deadline. He’s been one of the top targets this season.

“I think there’s no question it’s going to weigh on you a little bit,” Cubs manager Dale Sveum said of the distractions of the rumors. “Everybody’s human.”

Whether Dempster goes is his call. He has 10 years in the big leagues, five with the same team, which allows him veto power over any deal. That may sound selfish, but it’s the players’ rights.

“Fortunately for Dempster, he’s got the 10-and-5 rights, and for whatever reason, people don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes and all the reasons why you accept and why you don’t,” Sveum said. “It’s an unfortunate thing that [people] jump to conclusions. He’s one of the most class guys you’ll ever be around and [good] teammate and obviously very productive when he goes out there every five days, too. It’s one of those things where you’re good if you, good if you don’t, and it’s a tough situation to be in.”

Sveum isn’t pushing for a trade.

“We’re only going to be a better team with him on the field all year,” Sveum said.

– Carrie Muskat

Ryan Dempster said he’s considering his options, and may not decide until just before next Tuesday’s Trade Deadline.

“I want to look everything over before I make a decision, and I’ve got time to do that,” Dempster said Tuesday. “There’s a week before the Trade Deadline.”

Dempster, 35, who leads the Major Leagues with a 2.11 ERA, is scheduled to start Wednesday for the Cubs against the Pirates, and expects to make that start.

As a player with 10 and 5 rights, Dempster has veto power over any deal. He wouldn’t specify which teams he was considering.

“I’m just trying to look over everything and make the best decision for me and for my family and what I need to do,” he said.

As for reports that he was blindsided by the deal, Dempster said the Cubs front office has kept him up to date on everything. He didn’t expect it to be made public.

“I haven’t made any decisions on anything,” he said. “I’m looking at everything and trying to explore every option and do what’s best for me.”

His time frame?

“About seven days,” Dempster said, which would be the July 31 Deadline.

Dempster was sitting in the clubhouse at PNC Park on Tuesday while talk about him and trade rumors was being discussed on MLB Network. He kept his head down, working on a crossword puzzle. The Braves have reportedly agreed to a deal with the Cubs in which Chicago would get 22-year-old Randall Delgado. The Dodgers also are interested.

Dempster said he isn’t requesting a contract extension for next year as part of the deal, but did admit that anybody would be looking for some security.

“The Chicago Cubs will do what’s best for the Cubs and I’m going to do what’s best for me,” Dempster said.

– Carrie Muskat