ESPN’s Rob Neyer, who frequently reports on the Red Sox even though he doesn’t read any Red Sox blogs, says the Sox should only bring Jason Varitek back if he’s willing to accept a secondary role. But, since Varitek might not like that option, Neyer could imagine the unquestioned leader of TWO Red Sox World Series teams ending up in another uniform next year.

Actually, I absolutely can see it…Sure. Willie Mays played for the Mets. Ty Cobb played for the Athletics. Pete Rose played for the Phillies and the Expos. Joe Morgan played for everybody.

(And they’re four people you’d lean on for life advice.)

Varitek doesn’t turn 37 until shortly after Opening Day in 2009. If the Red Sox don’t offer nearly as much money this winter as some other team, what’s he supposed to do? Retire?

(Um, yes? Have you seen him much this season, Mr. Neyer? He looks like he’s swinging at house flies with a coal shovel. Moreover, he knows it.)

Hard to blame the Red Sox, too, if they don’t do whatever it takes to keep Varitek in the fold. There are people in the front office, smart people (read: Bill James), who believe that Varitek’s meant so much to the franchise that he belongs in the Hall of Fame some day. I find that notion utterly preposterous, simply because Varitek doesn’t have anywhere near the statistical credentials for such an honor.

* Josh Beckett hasn’t pitched like the guy who led the Sox to a World Series title last year, but expect him to be on his game versus the D’Backs and Dan Haren tonight. In the past, a familiar knock against Beckett was that he tended to lose focus versus lesser opponents, yet brought his A game against perceived challenges. Haren is certainly that. Besides, the game is on ESPN, so expect Beckett to look pissed and focused.

* I’m working on an investigative piece, trying to determine if the 2008 Red Sox pitching staff owns more necklaces than any staff in baseball history. There’s a lot of rope around these necks, and I comfort myself in thinking that these necklaces are made of hemp, and that Beckett, Okajima, Wakefield, and Timlin will be smoking their necklaces in celebration of a third World Series title in October.

* To the Cardinals’ players who had their pant legs pulled up and their red-and-blue striped stockings on proud display this past weekend: I saw “Sex and the City” with my wife, and Carrie Bradshaw wants her look back.

* Craig Hansen, my confidence in you grows every day.

* The Sox called up Jed Lowrie to take over at shortstop, right? He’s just lost en route, correct? Perhaps Lowrie needs Lou Merloni to bring him up to speed on the best backroads between Pawtucket and Boston.