We are still in close contact with the Red Sox and they have told us they will do whatever they can to help meet David's demands. This is all about where David wants to finish his career and not about anything [negative] in Boston.

In the short run, it will probably make the US-North Korean relationship more fractious. What is needed is a sustained and mutually respectful dialogue to be established. Only within such a framework may it be possible to fully explain to Pyongyang why we decided to do what we have done in New Delhi, and to work out a solid foundation for an improved relationship.

His thought process when he signed that deal was that he had a chance to be with the Red Sox for life. We had cautioned him at the time of the deal (that a trade was still possible), and that was our concern - we worry about the business side of things, and this is a business.

Whenever a trade happens, it's always a little shocking from the player's perspective.

David's a competitor. From David's perspective, not having the opportunity to compete until the middle of April is disappointing, that's what this is all about.

We really haven't discussed that. David's a professional. He knows he has a job to do.