Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ WinterFest provides one more chance to celebrate World Series win before moving on to 2020...

The Washington Nationals and their fans gathered together in Nationals Park over the weekend to celebrate the club’s World Series win one last time before everyone officially moves on to the 2020 campaign (Okay, the ring/pennant ceremonies will probably end up being the last official celebrations). Catch up on the weekend that was in Nationals news...

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Third Base Talk:

Nationals Josh Donaldson third base options 2020 - (MLB.com)
"A trio of options within Asdrúbal Cabrera, Starlin Castro and Carter Kieboom, the club’s No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline, can slot into a role at that position that 'we don’t see it as a hole,' Rizzo said. 'We see it as a strength.'"

Nationals haven’t replaced Anthony Rendon, but Mike Rizzo believes third base is a strength - (NBC Sports Washington)
"There’s still time for the club to sign Josh Donaldson, the top remaining free agent left on the market. But while general manager Mike Rizzo won’t ‘close the door on anybody’...”

Ryan Zimmerman Love:

Teammates hope ‘Mr. National’ returns to D.C. - (MLB.com)
”While he was not at Nationals Winterfest, Zimmerman was at the ballpark this past week. He and general manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo had a 90-minute sit-down in the latter’s office.”

A Nationals question remains: Where’s Ryan Zimmerman? - (NBC Sports Washington)
”The event rides like so many other Nationals-related productions. Ryan Zimmerman is a natural, a constant, an expected presence. Withdrawing him from the group is odd.”

Other WinterFest Stories:

Turner's finger back to normal after November surgery - (MASN)
"He did his best not to make a big deal about it during the season, but Trea Turner wasn’t ever 100 percent healthy after breaking his right index finger in early April."

Carter Kieboom is in the Nats infield plans - (WaPost)
"In the span of 13 months, inside two conference rooms at Nationals Park, Carter Kieboom has nailed down a winter routine: discuss a potential new position and the chance at playing it in the major leagues."

Stephen Strasburg reflects on World Series documentary - (MLB.com)
“'Clearly, the documentary thought Houston was going to win,' Strasburg said, sending the room into a laugh at Winterfest. 'Seeing it from that angle made it that much better, seeing how heartbroken they were.'"

Max Scherzer confident he's fully healthy after back and neck issues - (MASN)
"Scherzer wants everyone to know he’s fine now. He’s known he’s been fine for quite some time..."

Winterfest gives Nationals fans taste of summer - (Washington Times)
"The Washington Nationals’ run of good fortune is still running. Nationals Winterfest, the team’s annual offseason fan festival, reaped the rewards over the weekend of two days of 60-plus degree weather in January."

Celebrations firmly behind them, Nationals' prep for 2020 is under way - (NBC Sports Washington)
"It’s mid-January. Max Scherzer and Adam Eaton are already at the team’s spring training facility in West Palm Beach. Other players and coaches will be arriving progressively..."

Fans meet Nats players on warm ‘Winterfest’ day at the ballpark - (WTOP)
"The last time we saw Max Scherzer, he was gutting out five innings in Game 7 against the Astros, while dealing with a stiff neck. He said he’s feeling really good right now..."

One potential HR champ on every team - (MLB.com)
"Nationals: Juan Soto, LF: A massive power surge seems like the next achievement he’ll unlock, no?"

After winning the World Series, the Nationals see everything differently - (WaPost)
"Going to the World Series means a lot. But winning one changes everything — especially in a city that had not had a champion in 95 years and for a franchise with four quick October exits fresh in mind."