Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ prospect Fausto Segura passes away; WinterFest stories + more Nats links...

Two days after WinterFest weekend the stories are still trickling out, and the 2019 World Series champion Washington Nationals and their fans got to breathe a collective sigh of relief on Monday with the revelations of the Houston Astros’ elaborate (trash-can-aided) attempts to steal signs and trophies finally resulting in some harsh (fitting) punishment.

As someone says below, thankfully the Nationals beat the ‘Stros this past October, so we don’t have to all wonder if anything fishy was going on. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

WinterFest:

Juan Soto on his home country: 'Everywhere I go they hug me' - (NBC Sports Washington)
"At the team's Winterfest event, Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto discusses the support and attention he received while back in the Dominican Republic over the offseason."

VIDEO: Behind the Scenes at Washington Nationals Winterfest – (NBC4 Washington)
"Nationals Winterfest has always been a great event to get hyped and express all sorts of Natitude, but never before has it featured a group of world champions."

Carter Kieboom believes he’s prepared to compete for Nationals’ third base job - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Kieboom rose through the Nationals’ farm system as a shortstop but focused on second and third base this offseason with Trea Turner entrenched at short."

Fausto Segura:

Nationals prospect Fausto Segura dies in motorcycle accident in Dominican Republic - (WaPost)
"Fausto Segura, a 23-year-old pitcher in the Washington Nationals’ minor league system, died Sunday in a motorcycle accident in his native Dominican Republic, according to reporter Héctor Gómez."

Nationals prospect Segura passes away at 23 - (MLB.com)
"Nationals prospect Fausto Segura, a right-handed reliever who last played with Class A Short-Season Auburn, passed away Sunday, the club announced Monday afternoon. He was 23."

Pitching prospect Fausto Segura dies in motorcycle accident - (MASN)
"Segura, 23, was riding a motorcycle near Maria Montez International Airport in his hometown of Barahona when he was hit by a van, ESPN Deportes reported."

FREDNATS:

Fredericksburg Nationals say stadium on track for April 23 home opener - (fredericksburg.com)
"At a recent meeting to discuss construction of a new stadium for the Fredericksburg Nationals, club owners and contractor L.F. Jennings delved into door hinges."

FredNats on schedule for new stadium opening April 23 - (MASN)
"The FredNats broke ground on the site for the new ballpark on Feb. 24, 2019. Executive vice present and general manager Nick Hall said the stadium footprint has been set for months and the exterior walls and seating area are well under construction."

CHEATERS:

Are the Astros’ penalties for sign-stealing a deterrent or blip? - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Houston cheated throughout the 2017 season on the way to a World Series title, when it used technology to decode and deliver information about pitch signs. In essence, the Astros found a way to significantly boost the chance of doing the most difficult thing in sports: hit a baseball."

Astros scandal is more reason to be grateful Nats won title - (MASN)
"Nationals players, coaches and members of the baseball operations department already were on higher-than-normal alert entering the World Series. They knew the Astros’ reputation..."