The Milwaukee Brewers prioritize two things more than perhaps any other organization in Major League Baseball: depth and flexibility.

The depth is a frequently discussed asset of this team. The rotation, even sans Freddy Peralta, has a host of 20-something-year-old arms waiting to make an impact. The outfield group goes about nine deep. And between Jett Williams and Andruw Monasterio, the Crew have two players who could feasibly fill in anywhere in the infield.

The flexibility, on the other hand, can go somewhat unnoticed, but it’s no less important throughout a 162-game season. It also takes more than just one form; whereas some traditionally think of flexibility in terms of versatility and getting the most out of all 26 men on the active roster, it’s also important to remember that the conversation includes players not on the active roster.

In that sense, depth and flexibility are synergetic concepts, and it’s a good thing the Brewers are so well-versed in both. Their major-league roster is littered with players who can be shuttled between Triple-A and the big leagues. That’s extremely valuable for preserving the health and freshness of a team, and part of the reason why the Crew almost never miss a step even when someone goes down with an injury.

But what about the few players who aren’t able to be optioned?

Rob Zastryzny, Jake Bauers among Brewers players without minor league options in 2026

At present, just four non-optionable players exist on the Brewers’ 40-man roster (five if you believe non-roster invitee Reese McGuire will soon be added to the 40-man). That quartet includes de facto ace Brandon Woodruff and former MVP Christian Yelich, both of whom wouldn’t be optioned even if they could be, as well as corner infielder/outfielder Jake Bauers and lefty reliever Rob Zastryzny.

The first two are, of course, roster locks. Nothing will displace them. Bauers, meanwhile, should be safe for all of 2026 thanks to his defensive versatility and on-base skills, though if his really problematic strikeout habits return, it could lead to an uncomfortable conversation down the line.

Zastryzny is the only one in any real immediate danger of losing his roster spot, but that’s mostly because of how lefty-heavy the Brewers’ bullpen is. His lack of option flexibility could hurt his case for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, but it’s also feasible to suggest Milwaukee will hold onto him until an obvious upgrade or bigger need arises on the roster.

As a reminder, players who can’t be optioned can only be removed from the active roster in one of three ways: via a trip to the injured list, a trade, or by being designated for assignment and placed on waivers.

It’s also worth pointing out that just because a player has option years remaining doesn’t mean they’re going to see time in the minor leagues. Brice Turang and William Contreras both have one option year left, but if either is seen in Nashville for a reason other than a rehab assignment, something has gone horribly, irrevocably wrong.

The fact that just four players fit the can’t-be-optioned category is a testament to the incredibly creative and future-thinking way the front office likes to build rosters, as well as the overall youth of the team. The Brewers won’t be winning any star power competitions in 2026, but that shouldn’t stop them from continuing to be the boogeyman of the NL Central.