Dempster Gives Cubs Flexibility By Deferring Salary UPDATED

Ken Rosenthal, of Fox Sports, is reporting that Cubs Starting Pitcher Ryan Dempster will defer $3MM of his $12.5 salary this year at little or no interest, in order to give the Cubs payroll flexibility when it comes to making trades.  Dempster will receive $1MM by the end of February 2011, $1MM by the end of February 2012, and the final $1MM by the end of February 2013.

This is a real class act by someone who is already considered to be a team leader, dedicating some of his money to the team in order to improve themselves through the trade market.

The Cubs were already in a position to take on salary this year at the trade deadline, and now with the news of Dempster deferring some of his 2010 salary, that possibly puts the Cubs in a position to make multiple trades. As it appears now, the only major need for the Cubs is for a veteran set-up man for their bullpen. But, if Andrew Cashner, who should be called up soon, proves that he can handle the job then it might not be a need at all.

I wouldn’t put it past the Cubs to look for a starting pitcher, but if things keep going the way they are, that would not be a major need. Of the starting pitchers that could be available through a trade could be Roy Oswalt of Astros, Cliff Lee of the Mariners, and Zach Duke of the Pirates, whom the Cubs have had interest in before.

A thing to keep you eye on is Aramis Ramirez at third base, if we get to late-June and early-July, and Ramirez is still struggling, then I would not be surprised if the Cubs pull off a trade for a third basemen. As of now, the most notable third basemen that is on the market is Mike Lowell of the Boston Red Sox, and given the Cubs surplus of starting pitchers, the two teams would probably be able to work out a deal.

UPDATE: Bruce Levine reports that Dempster deferred the $3MM in the off-season, and that gave the Cubs the flexibility to sign Xavier Nady. So with that being said, the Cubs do not have any extra money to spend at the trade deadline.