Jason Varitek is still a man without a team. The Red Sox are essentially a team without a catcher. Sounds like a pretty good fit, right?

Clearly, it is not as simple as that.

Varitek's 11-year career with the Sox is in danger of ending, even after the team reportedly made a offer that included the possibility of an all-important second year.

And so it has come to this. Boston is still Varitek's best option for 2009, and the man who has worn the "C" on his chest for the past four years is still the team's best choice for an additional catcher.

With Varitek back, the group of Josh Bard, George Kottaras and Dusty Brown would provide enough catching depth for the upcoming season.

Here's the rub: Varitek turned down the team's offer of arbitration, believing he could get a better offer (even from the Red Sox) after testing the free-agent waters.

What he didn't factor in was that his Type A free agency status would scare away other teams, which would have to give up a first- or second-round draft pick to sign him.

Recently, Varitek admitted to NESN's Heidi Watney that he didn't realize other teams would lose a high draft pick if they sign him.

Now, he must decide what to do.

Had Varitek accepted arbitration, he undoubtedly would've landed a one-year contract in the $10 million-$12 million range.

Instead, he is mulling the team's current offer, reportedly $5 million for one year with two possible second-year options: a club option for another $5 million or a player option for $3 million.

In other words, Varitek might make in two years what he would've made through arbitration this season.

Coming back for 50 cents on the dollar would be a loss of face for Varitek, a proud man who has been called "the best teammate ever" by a veteran Red Sox player. That said, there is no other market for his services. None.

He made a mistake – or got bad advice from agent Scott Boras – and has given all the leverage to the Red Sox.

More than one pitcher has spoken to the media this winter about Varitek's importance to the staff, and we all know what he means to these pitchers.

But we also know that he hasn't hit better than .260 in four years, and is coming off a woeful .220 season.

If he returns to the Red Sox, he undoubtedly will be removed for a pinch hitter from time to time, another blow to his professional pride.

Yet, at the end of the day, there is no better place for him. Recently, he reportedly told principal owner John Henry he wanted to retire as a member of the Red Sox; he just didn't want to retire at the end of the 2009 season.

That could still happen, but he's going to have to accept the team's terms to do it.

If he does, he will be welcomed back with open arms by his teammates.

It makes too much sense for him not to be back, but common sense won't make a smaller contract any easier for the captain to accept with pitchers and catchers reporting in just over two weeks

Tom Caron is the studio host for Red Sox broadcasts on the New England Sports Network. His column appears in the Press Herald on Tuesdays.