Named in the honor of the promotion going on at your local Papa Gino's (gotta plug the employer), let's take a look at today's trio of hot-button Boston sports topics, lumped into one entry for your ease and convenience...

RED SOX: Santana's sent to the Mets
In another year, the news that Boston missed out on acquiring the best left-handed pitcher in baseball, even after emerging as his most likely landing spot, would be as infuriating as a slideshow filled with losers who inexplicably think they look like the Patriots. But, I can't say I was anything but happy to hear Johan Santana was about to become a New York Met.

As far as I'm concerned, this is the best-case scenario for the Sox. They don't give up Jacoby Ellsbury, or Jon Lester, or Clay Buchholz, or any of the other highly regarded fruits of their ready-to-bear farm system. And the Yankees don't get him, either, so the Sox remain a step ahead in the American League East. Before yesterday, the biggest (and maybe only) difference between Boston and New York was the presence of a certified ace atop the starting rotation. The Sox have it in Josh Beckett, while the Yankees lack a true No. 1. Santana was their best option to fill the void, but they also opted to stick with their young talent, and so unless Phil Hughes takes a major (MAJOR) leap this year, it looks as though the Red Sox will go in as the team to beat.

The non-move is also good for Boston's financial stability. Had they scored Santana, it would've likely cost them somewhere near $150 million over six or seven years. It'd basically replace the money they've been paying Manny Ramirez since 2001, and could stop paying at the end of this season — but the problem there is replacing his production. If they paid Santana that money, they would indeed have two aces at the top of the rotation. But they'd also have little cash to spend on a corner outfielder who can protect David Ortiz in the middle of the lineup. If they'd given Manny's money to Santana, then looked to replace Manny with the money owed to their current No. 2 guy — Curt Schilling, at $8 million — among the current market they could've landed a guy like Geoff Jenkins or Mike Cameron. Neither of them do I look forward to penciling in behind Big Papi every day.

In the end, it all came down to desperation. The Mets were desperate to make a major move after last year's collapse. The Twins were desperate to make a trade because they knew they couldn't re-sign Santana. And the Red Sox weren't desperate at all. I've long suspected they were only in these talks to block a Yankee blockbuster, and now that the deal is virtually done, Theo Epstein definitely deserves credit for keeping Santana out of the Bronx.

Now, let's hope these young guns reward his faith.

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CELTICS: Finding a big ... and a little
The timing of such a statement seems a little odd, considering they just beat the Heat by 30 despite just seven points from the Big Three. But I'm going to go ahead with it anyway.

If they're to make a run deep into the playoffs, and be legitimate contenders for the NBA title, the Celtics must add some depth. Specifically, they've got to do it at the center and point guard positions, where Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo have played well, but could use a little help as the season rolls along. Especially if that help has playoff experience.

In Perkins's case, the Celtics simply need another big body who can come off the bench and do the same dirty work Perkins is asked to do down low. Scot Pollard is theoretically that man, but he's been fragile. Leon Powe and Glen Davis are both too short to play center. And Kevin Garnett is too valuable to risk the wear, tear and foul trouble that comes with defending the post for 48 minutes. They don't need a scorer, or even an offensive threat, really. Just a poor man's Marcus Camby, someone capable of presenting a defensive presence and rebounding in the lane. I'm thinking of a guy like Jeff Foster, whose short-money contract expires in 2009, and who I'm hoping will become available as the 19-27 Pacers fall further back in the playoff race.

As far as a backup point guard is concerned, I take back all the things I said about Rondo at the start of the year. He is a legit NBA starter, and not only is he capable of leading this team to the playoffs, he will play a critical part in its success. Problem is, his backups suck. At least as point guards. Neither Tony Allen nor Eddie House is really cut out to play the position, and while each would be an asset in another way, I don't trust either to handle and distribute against a good defense.

I'm not thrilled with the popular options to replace them, though. Damon Stoudamire hasn't been a truly productive player in almost three years, he isn't accustomed to coming off the bench, and he's played just four games in May over his entire career. Add to all that the fact he's a shoot-first sort, and I don't think he'd be a great fit. Sam Cassell would be a better fit on the floor — the guy is a winner in the clutch — but the cost for his services will be steep. Not only is there the $6 million salary (plus luxury tax penalties), but acquiring him would probably require outbidding other teams in trade negotiations. That could get a bit pricey for a reserve.

I might be more interested in Cassell's teammate, Brevin Knight. He was considered by the Celtics in the summer, and has a stress reaction that limits how much he can play — but he's a solid, veteran caretaker who looks to pass before shooting. Over the last three years he's had an assist-to-turnover ratio of about 4:1, and has one year and $2 million left on a very affordable deal. He's reported to be a bit of trouble in the locker room, but for chump change on a veteran club, he could work out.

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PATRIOTS: In life and in football, Giants are scary
We're still in the process of evaluating the Super Bowl, and will be ratcheting up our coverage in this corner over the next couple days. (If you're in dire need to read something about it, I don't think you'll have trouble finding a story or two million.) But with just five days left before kickoff, here are a touchdown's worth of things that scare me about the NFC champs:

1. Amani Toomer as the secondary threat. With Plaxico Burress's big effort in the NFC championship, Toomer's contributions have been overshadowed. But, as New York's first two playoff games suggest, should the Pats match up Asante Samuel specifically on Burress, Toomer might be too much for Ellis Hobbs to handle by himself.
 
2. Brandon Jacobs' running style. Tackling has not been the Patriots' strong suit this season (though it's been better lately), and now they're facing the man who might be the toughest to tackle of anyone in the NFL.

3. Tom Coughlin's familiarity with Bill Belichick. In the first three Super Bowls, Belichick has owned a decided advantage when it came to coaching. This time he's got an edge, but it's not that big, and it's made smaller by the fact these guys know each other very well — and may be more attuned to the other's adjustments.

4. Aaron Ross singled up with Wes Welker. Though a rookie, he's probably New York's best cover corner. If they put him on Welker (who had 11 catches in Week 17), and opt for multiple players against Randy Moss, New England might need to rely on Option C offensively.

5. The Giants' ability to reach and rattle Tom Brady. Will a sprained ankle hurt the quarterback? Only if he's forced to move all day, and getting hit as he does so. The Giants have the players capable of bringing that pressure, and that pain.

6. Eli Manning's confidence. Peyton's brother hasn't been picked yet this postseason, and looked very much in control of the game down the stretch at Green Bay. That's not something Giants fans have always been able to say about their signal caller, but if he is at last combining physical skills with mental strength, he has the ability for a big game.

7. New York's got nothing to lose. Remember the Philadelphia and Baltimore games? How they kept it close, and everyone said they'd given the Pats their best shot because it was "their Super Bowl"? Well, this actually is the Super Bowl. And no one expects the Giants to win. Therefore, they can go out, take chances, leave everything on the line, and if they get blown out, who cares? They were supposed to. If they turn those risks into big plays and points, however, they unquestionably have the talent to be champions.