4 MLB Milestones We Could Be Robbed of Thanks to Shortened 2020 Season

Major League Baseball remains without a plan for the 2020 season and the worst-case scenario, aside from no games at all, appears to be a 48-game season. Such a shortened season will essentially rob players of a year of their careers, and certain players may even never reach iconic milestones due to the lost time.

A few records that were on pace to be broken may never happen now that the 2020 season is in jeopardy.

4. Jon Lester Reaching 200 Wins

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester could be done after 2020. / Justin Berl/Getty Images

Jon Lester is 36 years old, and it appears his vested option for 2021 has no chance of hitting, unless he restructures his contract. He needed to reach 200 innings this year, and that is all but impossible now. That leaves the southpaw's future in doubt, and he is now in danger of never reaching the 200-win mark if he steps away from the game following his current deal (though he's entertained the idea of finishing his career in Boston). Lester currently sits with 190 victories, and may only get around 10-15 starts in the best-case scenario for a 2020 season.

3. Robinson Cano Chasing 3,000 Hits

New York Mets 2B Robinson Cano is under contract through 2023. / Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Robinson Cano was traded to the New York Mets before the 2019 season and had one of the worst years of his career, but he is still approaching the 3,000-hit milestone and currently sits with 2,570. Counting 2020, Cano has four seasons under contract to reach that goal...but will his body make it to the end of the deal? A shortened campaign will likely erase over half a season, and then the slugger may lose playing time as he approaches the end of his career. Cano only had 100 hits in 107 games last year, and recent injury concerns have only added to the difficulty of reaching 3,000.

2. Miguel Cabrera Joining the 500 HR Club

Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera is under contract through 2023. / Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

Miguel Cabrera joining the 500 home run club seemed to once be a forgone conclusion. However, he has hit a total of 31 home runs since 2017, and has had a drastic decline while he continues to collect a fortune. Cabrera currently has 477 home runs, and may not receive much playing time in 2020 if the goal is to develop young players. He may also have a tough time with a lack of a proper Spring Training, and is in danger of never reaching 500. He will have three years to do so after 2020 (in theory), but his current pace is concerning. The Tigers aren't going to play him if he struggles while top prospects are waiting in the wings.

1. Albert Pujols Hitting 700 Home Runs

Los Angeles Angels veteran Albert Pujols may never reach one historic milestone. / Masterpress/Getty Images

Albert Pujols has 656 home runs, and should be able to pass Willie Mays' mark of 660, assuming there is a 2020 season. That would put him fifth all-time, which may be as high as he goes. Pujols is only under contract through 2021, and is already 40 years old. He had 23 home runs in 131 games last season, and it doesn't seem like he will be able to reach the elusive 700 home run total given his current pace. While 44 home runs in two seasons was already a question mark for Pujols, hitting a majority of those in 2021 seems highly unlikely.