As spring training kicks off, the Milwaukee Brewers find themselves in a unique position—one that could shape their season in ways most fans don’t fully grasp. The secret weapon? Player option status. This behind-the-scenes detail gives the Brewers unprecedented flexibility in roster management, but it’s also a double-edged sword that could spark heated debates among fans and analysts alike. And this is the part most people miss: how this seemingly technical rule can make or break a player’s career—and the team’s success.
Here’s the deal: when a player is first added to the 40-man roster, they’re granted three options. These options allow the team to shuffle players between the majors and minors without losing them to waivers. Think of it as a safety net—a way to keep talent in the system while fine-tuning their skills or filling gaps due to injuries. But there’s a catch. Once a player spends 20 days in the minors, one of their options is used for the year. And here’s where it gets controversial: players can only be optioned five times in a single season before they must be placed on outright waivers, exposing them to claims from other teams. Is this system fair to players? Or does it give teams too much control?
This spring, the Brewers are in a prime position, with many players still holding at least one option. But let’s break it down further. Players like Rob Zastryzny, who has no options left, must either make the roster or risk being waived. Meanwhile, others like Tyler Black and Carlos Rodriguez are in a gray area—they might qualify for a rare fourth option under specific MLB rules. Should these exceptions be more common? Or do they disrupt the balance of player development?
Here’s a closer look at the Brewers’ roster by option status, with key players highlighted:
Zero Options
- Position Players: Greg Jones, Eddys Leonard
- Pitchers: Rob Zastryzny, Peter Strzelecki, Jacob Waguespack
One Option
- Position Players: William Contreras#, David Hamilton, Brice Turang, Akil Baddoo, Steward Berroa, Tyler Black^, Jeferson Quero^
- Pitchers: Grant Anderson, Aaron Ashby, DL Hall, Trevor Megill, Quinn Priester, Abner Uribe, Angel Zerpa, Easton McGee, Sammy Peralta, Carlos Rodriguez^, Gerson Garabito*
Two Options
- Position Players: Joey Ortiz, Blake Perkins, Andrew Vaughn#, Brandon Lockridge
- Pitchers: Jared Koenig, Chad Patrick, Logan Henderson, Robert Gasser, Kyle Harrison, Craig Yoho, Drew Rom*
Three Options
- Position Players: Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell
- Pitchers: Jacob Misiorowski, Coleman Crow, Shane Drohan, Brandon Sproat
Non-Roster Invitees (NRIs)
- Position Players: Luke Adams, Eduardo Garcia, Luis Lara, Jesús Made, Darrien Miller, Cooper Pratt, Ramón Rodríguez, Brock Wilken, Jett Williams, Matthew Wood
- Pitchers: Tate Kuehner*
Over Five Years of Major League Experience
- Position Players: Jake Bauers, Luis Rengifo, Gary Sánchez, Christian Yelich, Reese McGuire*
- Pitchers: Brandon Woodruff
Symbols used:
* - Non-roster invitees (not on the 40-man roster)
- Players exceeding five years of service time during the season
^ - Players who may qualify for a fourth option
Now, let’s zoom in on the drama. Players like Zastryzny are on the edge—one bad spring could cost them their spot. Meanwhile, the fourth-option rule for players like Black and Rodriguez adds another layer of complexity. Is this a loophole teams should exploit, or does it undermine the spirit of player development?
And here’s the bigger question: as fans, how do we feel about a system that gives teams so much control over players’ careers? Does it prioritize team success over individual opportunity? Or is it a necessary evil in the modern game? Let’s debate it in the comments—because this is one topic that’s far from black and white.
