Naranjeros de Hermosillo just won the offseason. Isaac Paredes and Javier Assad — two of the best Mexican players in MLB right now — are both reporting to the club in December for the Liga del Pacífico. Club GM Francisco Gámez made it official.
Paredes arrives fresh off the best season of his career
Paredes wrapped up the 2026 MLB season as one of the most productive Mexican third basemen in the big leagues, finishing with 25 home runs — the best power output of his career. That’s not a guy filling a roster spot in winter ball; that’s a guy who spent the year punishing MLB-caliber pitching and is choosing to keep playing. For a Naranjeros lineup that wants to compete for the championship, having someone who hit 25 home runs against the best pitchers in the world is a real weapon.
Assad: six years away, and a homecoming worth waiting for
Assad’s return carries its own weight. The Sinaloa-born right-hander hadn’t pitched in the LMP in six years — time he spent climbing through the Cubs system and earning a permanent spot in Chicago’s MLB rotation. Coming back after half a decade isn’t just a roster move; it’s a reunion. Assad knows this league, he knows these hitters, and he knows what it means to pitch in Mexico in front of fans who live and breathe the game. Whether Naranjeros uses him as a starter or in relief, he gives the club a legitimate arm in a pennant race.
Why Hermosillo in December is worth your attention
The LMP has always been the showcase for Mexican baseball in the winter. But when two players who just finished full MLB seasons decide to come home, the league’s stakes go up. Paredes and Assad aren’t symbolic signings — they’re players who can flip a series.
- Paredes: 25 HR in the 2026 MLB season, career-best form
- Assad: first LMP appearance in six years, coming off an established role in Chicago’s rotation
- Both confirmed officially by GM Francisco Gámez on October 27
Exact roster integration dates and game availability are still to be announced, but the headline is already written: Naranjeros moved fast and landed the two biggest names in Mexican winter ball recruiting. Hermosillo fans have every reason to circle December on the calendar.
