3 Brewers Who Should Sit Out 2020 if Rob Manfred Institutes 50-Game Season

The painstaking back-and-forth between MLB owners and players may end up being pointless in the end if Commissioner Rob Manfred institutes a 50-game season. That is the nuclear option on the table and the owners may be dragging their feet to make sure it happens.

Salaries prorated to 50 games may not be worth it to certain players, not just because of the money, but because of the health risks as well. Players are able to sit out with the simple result being no service time and no pay. Pushing their contracts over to a full 2021 season would be especially worth it for several notable players on the Milwaukee Brewers.

3. Brock Holt

Milwaukee Brewers IF Brock Holt just signed with the team. / Norm Hall/Getty Images

Former Boston Red Sox utilityman Brock Holt signed with the Brewers this offseason on what is essentially a "prove-it" deal. The contract is worth $2.5 million this year and there's a club option of $5 million for 2021. Holt is not an everyday player and it will be hard to prove himself in maybe 30-40 games in a shortened season. Sitting out ensures he'll make his full salary in 2021, which will put him in a better position to have his $5 million option exercised.

2. Lorenzo Cain

Milwaukee Brewers OF Lorenzo Cain should want to maximize his career earnings. / Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Lorenzo Cain turned 34 years old in April and is set to enter the third season of a five-year, $80 million contract. It's highly unlikely he receives another long-term extension like this one, so his best option would be to make the most money possible before retiring and have his 2020 money roll over to 2021. Taking $0 this year to make $15 million next year also allows Cain to enter next season completely fresh after a down campaign in 2019.

1. Christian Yelich

Milwaukee Brewers OF Christian Yelich is coming off a major injury. / Norm Hall/Getty Images

Christian Yelich is locked into a deal with the Brewers through at least 2028 (the contract includes a mutual option for 2029). He's also returning from a fractured kneecap that ended his 2019 season in September. There should be no rush for the 2018 MVP to return in a shortened season, especially if he'll be earning significantly less money with the prorated salaries. He should take the time to fully recover and make sure he's getting the maximum value of his contract after taking a bit of a hometown discount.