Racing’s resolutions for 2023: Sort out Next Gen, get Hamilton back on top
We’re now more than a week into 2023, that time of year when we all have to face the hard truth about those New Year’s resolutions we were all so staunchly dedicated to not so long ago. The gym is already a lot less crowded than it was on Jan. 2, our swear jars already have cash in them and our liquor cabinets are already emptier.
For those who have yet to really get their new year going, though — say, our friends in the mainstream motorsports world — there is still plenty of time to identify a need and dedicate themselves to ensuring that need is met. Or, at the very least, an attempt to ensure that need is met, as opposed to that new stationary bike that’s still in the box and shaming me from the other side of the family room.
We’ve even gone ahead and identified one big new season’s resolution for each of those racing series in 2023. Why? Because that’s always our resolution: helping people whether they want it or not.
NASCAR: Get those Next Gen safety concerns sorted out
It is difficult to recall a NASCAR Cup Series season that began with as much enthusiasm as 2022 and impossible to think of a year that managed to keep that momentum going all the way into autumn. The catalyst for those good vibes and that historically great competition was the long-awaited Next Gen race car.
The one-size-fits-all machines looked unbreakable. Literally. Unfortunately, it proved a little too tough, as the same rigidness that made it so versatile and indestructible surfaced as the cause of season-derailing injuries to some of the sport’s biggest names and drawing criticism for causing everything from concussions to fire hazards. It also caused a rift between NASCAR and its drivers, exposing communication issues that sanctioning body now admits caught them entirely off guard.
The result has been a series of regular meetings with NASCAR executives and the racers. Those discussions spurred an aggressive offseason of R&D work, redesigning the rear clip and bumper to shift the transfer of crash-related violent energy away from the cockpit. Those safety talks have also covered better seats and those fires that seemed to be fueled by large pockets of air within the car.
“When we get to the LA Coliseum (for the Feb. 5 Busch Light Clash) we’re in a much better spot,” NASCAR president Steve Phelps explained in mid-December. “But it goes past the car itself. The communication that has to these changes, fixing those lines of communication, in the long run I think that could prove to be the most valuable aspect of this experience. We just need to keep that going.”
Formula One: Get Hamilton back atop a podium
As I write this, a copy of the January 2023 issue of GQ is on my desk (because I’m stylish like that) and the always-intense eyes of Max Verstappen are staring at me from the cover as if to say, “Lewis? Really?” Make no mistake, this is the Verstappen era of F1. No one disputes that. Just as no one dares argue that he hasn’t already made a case as one of the all-time greatest Grand Prix drivers.
There is only one greatest all-time driver, though, and his name is (sorry, Max) Lewis Hamilton. No matter which F1 team or racer is your favorite, we all have to admit that something was missing from the energy of the 2022 season, and that was the fact that Hamilton was never able to fully engage in the title fight, held winless for the first time since his incomparable career began way back in 2007.
Amid ceaseless chatter about his retirement (he says he has a few more years left), how amazing would the soap opera that is the paddock become if the 38-year-old won a race early and kick-started some buzz about another run at that elusive eighth title, especially if he once again battled with Max to earn it?
IndyCar: Finally get that Indy 500 legacy winner
Father Time remains undefeated, and we are reminded of that fact every spring as the checkered flag is waved over another Month of May and Marco Andretti and Graham Rahal have still not won the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Last year the grandson of Mario and son of Michael finished 22nd to reach 0-for-17 at the place that made his family famous. Meanwhile, the son of Bobby finished 14th to hit 0-for-15.
Andretti is 35. Rahal is 34. A lot of legends, from Foyt and Johncock to Rutherford and Unser Sr., have won this race in their 40s. The IndyCar paddock gets younger each season, and more often than not, we have surprise winners kissing the bricks. Why not a surprise that will send the grandstand into a total meltdown of joy? Not to mention ease the pain for a couple of really good guys who love Indy like few ever will.
NHRA: Write up those wonderful women!
While every other racing series fights and scraps and often has to come up with a list of excuses why there are practically no women behind the wheel at their highest levels, the NHRA had not one but two women among their four 2022 national champions. Erica Enders won her fifth Pro Stock title while Brittany Force won her second Top Fuel championship, while also making the fastest run in Top Fuel history at a mind-bending 338.48 mph.
They are only the tip of the iceberg in a Nitro Alley that has long been big on success by racers from all walks of life while other racing paddocks have had settle for lip service when it comes to diversity. It is to the NHRA’s credit that they have created an environment where, internally, it’s no longer newsworthy that accomplishments are made by those of different races and genders, but it would behoove them to realize that’s a much bigger deal out here than it is in there, and they should be shouting it into the world with a megaphone.
SRX: Own the summer
In case you missed it while you were busy holiday shopping and throwing down on turkey legs, Tony Stewart’s grassroots short track stock car fistfight known as the Superstar Racing Experience will return for its third season this summer, and will do so right here on the Worldwide Leader in Sports. Thanks to an all-star roster hailing from every American series and era you can think of (Marco Andretti! Scott Bloomquist! Helio Castroneves! Bill Elliott?!), the six-race July-August schedule has captured the imagination of the hardcore racing world.
Now, with a new platform that is already drawing throwbacks to the old ESPN2 “Thursday Night Thunder” shows that first introduced the world to the likes of Stewart and Jeff Gordon, SRX has a chance to do what many have long asked of NASCAR, IndyCar and other American racing series. Why not stop trying to fight football every fall and own the midweek summer nights?
Sports cars: Continue to simplify
The world of sports car racing has long been a confusing alphabet soup of sanctioning bodies, divisions, rulebooks and prestigious events that seemed designed to keep the biggest names and coolest cars divided up and scattered across the globe. But at last spring’s 12 Hour of Sebring, we caught a glimpse of what the future of sports cars could look like, and it was glorious.
The stateside cars of IMSA shared the weekend in south central Florida with the FIA World Endurance Championship, and both garages seemed genuinely excited about a 2023 convergence of rules that could finally allow the top machines from IMSA and WEC to compete head to head. A lot of cooperation has to happen across both series and between manufacturers, but as Jim France, chairman of IMSA and CEO of NASCAR has stated, the opportunity is now there. It wasn’t before.
“The proof will be when we have a car that wins Daytona and wins Le Mans in the same year,” France said when the new IMSA prototype was announced in 2021. “That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Us, too, Mr. France.
Everyone else: Go fast, be safe, stay awesome
And when we say “everyone else,” we don’t just mean racing series other than the ones listed above. We mean everyone else and all the time, not just New Year’s.
The 2025-26 MLB hot stove was lit just days after the Los Angeles Dodgers hoisted their second consecutive World Series championship trophy.
All eyes this winter are on a free agent hitting class featuring Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarber (who is returning to the Phillies on a five-year deal), Cody Bellinger, Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso. But they’re not the only ones who will make a splash in the market.
Which teams will go big to contend for the 2026 World Series title? And who will make the trades and signings that have everyone buzzing?
Below is a running list of notable transactions and updates from throughout the MLB offseason.
Key links: Offseason grades | Top 50 free agents | Fantasy spin | Best fits
Notable MLB offseason transactions
Dec. 9
Closer Edwin Diaz and the Dodgers are in agreement on a three-year, $69 million deal, sources tell ESPN.
Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a five-year, $150 million contract, sources told ESPN, reuniting the National League home run leader with the team he has played for the past four seasons.
Dec. 8
Left-hander Steven Matz and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a two-year contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN.
Free agent pitcher Michael Soroka and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a one-year deal, pending a physical, sources tell ESPN.
Dec. 6
The Washington Nationals traded left-hander Jose Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners for top catching prospect Harry Ford and minor league pitcher Isaac Lyon, the teams announced Saturday.
Dec. 4
The Boston Red Sox acquired right-hander Johan Oviedo from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a five-player trade that sent heralded outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia to Pittsburgh, the teams announced Thursday.
Dec. 3
Outfielder Cedric Mullins has agreed to a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to multiple reports.
Free agent closer Emilio Pagan has agreed to return to the Cincinnati Reds on a $20 million, two-year contract, according to multiple reports.
World Series hero Miguel Rojas is returning to the Dodgers in 2026, for what will be his final season in the major leagues, sources told ESPN. The infielder agreed to terms on a one-year, $5.5 million deal, after which he will be assisting the front office and helping in player development.
Left-handed reliever Sam Hentges and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a $1.4 million, one-year contract.
Left-hander Anthony Kay and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $12 million contract with a club option for a third season, sources told ESPN.
Dec. 2
Right-hander Cody Ponce, who won KBO MVP honors last season, and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a three-year, $30 million contract, sources told ESPN
Former KBO pitcher Ryan Weiss is in agreement with the Houston Astros on a one-year contract that guarantees him $2.6 million, sources told ESPN.
Right-hander Alek Manoah and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a one-year, $1.95 million contract, a source tells ESPN.
Dec. 1
Reliever Devin Williams and the New York Mets are in agreement on a three-year contract that guarantees more than $50 million, sources tell ESPN.
Nov. 29
Closer Ryan Helsley and the Baltimore Orioles agreed on a two-year contract that includes an opt-out after the first season.
Nov. 26
Right-hander Dylan Cease and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed on a seven-year, $210 million contract.
Nov. 25
The Boston Red Sox acquired veteran right-hander Sonny Gray in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Nov. 23
The New York Mets and Texas Rangers agreed to a trade that would send second baseman Marcus Semien to the Mets and outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers.
Nov. 21
The Chicago Cubs and right-handed reliever Phil Maton agreed on a two-year deal.
The Giants acquired outfielder Joey Wiemer from the Marlins for cash and agreed to terms with right-hander JT Brubaker on a one-year contract.
The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million deal with veteran catcher James McCann.
Nov. 19
The Braves re-signed closer Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million contract.
The Atlanta Braves acquired Mauricio Dubon from the Houston Astros for Nick Allen in an exchange of infielders.
Nov. 18
The Baltimore Orioles acquired outfielder Taylor Ward from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez.
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, Detroit Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff and Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga accepted their qualifying offers, meaning they’ll return to their respective teams in 2026 at salaries of $22.025 million.
Nov. 17
Reliever Ryan Yarbrough will be back in the Bronx after agreeing to a one-year deal with the New York Yankees.
Nov. 16
First baseman Josh Naylor and the Seattle Mariners have finalized a five-year, $92.5 million contract that has a full no-trade clause and no deferrals, sources tell ESPN.
Nov. 4
Chicago Cubs SP Shota Imanaga becomes free agent after team, player reject options for 2026
Nov. 3
Milwaukee Brewers exercise option on SP Freddy Peralta; SP Brandon Woodruff declines option
Boston Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman opts out of contract; SP Lucas Giolito declines option
New York Yankees OF Cody Bellinger declines option
New York Mets 1B Pete Alonso, RP Edwin Díaz opt out of contracts
Key offseason dates
Nov. 6: Free agency begins at 5 p.m. ET
Nov. 10-13: GM meetings in Las Vegas
Nov. 18-20: Owners meetings in New York
Nov. 18: Deadline to accept or reject qualifying offer
Nov. 21: Non-tender deadline
Dec. 8-10: Winter meetings in Orlando
Dec. 9: MLB draft lottery
Dec. 10: Rule 5 draft
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Jorge Castillo
ORLANDO, Fla. — New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the Toronto Blue Jays “kicked our ass” in 2025, but he doesn’t believe the gap between the American League East rivals is nearly as wide as the matchups indicated.
The Blue Jays went 8-5 against the Yankees during the regular season, including a 6-1 record in Toronto, serving as the tiebreaker for the American League East title after both teams finished an AL-best 98-64. The Blue Jays then overwhelmed the Yankees in four games in the AL Division Series, outscoring them 34-19 on their way to falling a game short of winning the World Series.
“We ended up with the identical records last year,” Boone said. “I don’t want to discount that they kicked our ass last year. Don’t take it out of context. … We had the same exact record, but they obviously were a great team last year and an eyelash away from winning a world championship. So, they certainly proved to be the better team this year.”
The Blue Jays, after dropping Game 7 of the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, have been active this offseason, signing free agent starters Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to fortify a rotation that included Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and Jose Berrios.
Toronto also remains interested in retaining infielder Bo Bichette or signing outfielder Kyle Tucker, the consensus top player on the free agent market, according to sources.
This offseason, the Yankees have given center fielder Trent Grisham the $22.025 million qualifying offer and re-signed Ryan Yarbrough to a $2.5 million deal.
General manager Brian Cashman told reporters Sunday that the club remains interested in re-signing free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger, while the team also seeks to add more right-handed hitters. Bellinger is a left-handed hitter, but he was elite against left-handed pitchers last season, batting .353 with a 1.016 OPS in 176 plate appearances against lefties.
Other Yankees priorities include bolstering the bullpen and acquiring a starting pitcher, with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon expected to begin the season on the injured list.
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