MILWAUKEE -- In the midst of a power-packed season, Brewers outfielder Avisaíl García is approaching a milestone that would give him some say over whether he remains with Milwaukee beyond this season.

García’s two-year, $20 million contract with the Brewers included a $12 million club option for a third season in 2022 that converts to a mutual option, and thus allows García to choose if he will be a free agent this winter, if he reaches certain plate appearance thresholds. He is quickly approaching that point -- 67 plate appearances away as the Brewers entered a series against the Reds on Tuesday night -- and that’s just fine with Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns.

“Avi's been playing a lot because he's been one of the most consistent contributors on our team this year,” Stearns said. “When we signed him, this was our expectation. Our expectation was that he was going to play regularly for us. So much last year was unusual about the whole season, but I think we're seeing a very talented player play at a really high level right now.”

García was disappointed with his debut season with the Brewers in 2020, when he slashed .238/.333/.326 with only two home runs in 53 games. Entering Tuesday, he was slashing .275/.344/.505 with a career-high 24 home runs in 110 games. His previous career high for homers was 20 with Tampa Bay in 2019.

The club option in his contract converts to mutual if García gets 550 plate appearances in 2021 (he entered Tuesday at 425) or 1,050 plate appearances in '20 & '21 combined. To figure 2020 PAs, you multiple his total (207) by 2.7 to account for the shortened season. That's 558, plus 425 so far this season for 983 so far going into this series. So, he needed 67 more plate appearances for 1,050 and a mutual option.

From the AP story when he signed, "If the option becomes mutual, García would get a buyout if he declines it, the amount depending on plate appearances in 2020 and ’21 combined: $500,000 for 601-800, $750,000 for 801-900, $1 million for 901-1,050, $1.5 million for 1,051-1,250 and $2 million for more than 1,250." Players and teams must make decisions on options five days after the World Series.

With baseball’s collective bargaining agreement set to expire this winter, it could be an interesting offseason for players and clubs regarding these decisions.

“Look, we're heading into a somewhat unpredictable time, so how that impacts decision-making throughout the industry is a little bit of an unknown,” Stearns said. “I haven't really thought about that in the context of any specific decision.”

Callups one week away

September callups will look a bit different in 2021. Instead of the active roster expanding all the way to 40 as in recent full seasons, teams will go from 26- to 28-man rosters as of Sept. 1.

“It's very different this year,” Stearns said. “We have begun those discussions, but because it's only two, a lot will depend on roster needs and team needs when we get to Sept. 1. But we've certainly begun those discussions.”

At least one spot is almost certain to be a pitcher, and the Brewers will continue to liberally use the Minor League options of relievers like Aaron Ashby, Justin Topa, Hoby Milner, Miguel Sánchez and others during the final month, just as they have done all season.

The second spot could go to Daniel Vogelbach, who is out of options and has been rehabbing a hamstring injury and a subsequent foot injury since late June. Asked whether he sees a spot on the active roster for Vogelbach and Rowdy Tellez, both of whom are left-handed hitters confined to first base, Stearns said, “I think so. I think Vogey proved when he was here that he could really contribute. We saw that last September. He was an extremely impactful offensive player. He was really getting going, unfortunately, when he had the injury. This is a player who can still impact games for us.”

Last call

• The Brewers are easing first baseman Keston Hiura back into everyday duty at Triple-A Nashville because he was mostly inactive during his recent bout with COVID-19, Stearns said.

• Brewers manager Craig Counsell said he isn’t surprised by Reds star Joey Votto’s career renaissance at age 37, saying, “ I don’t think we should ever be surprised that players of his caliber have stretches like this. He’s a great player. He had a couple down times but I’m not surprised he gets on a good streak again. There’s greatness in there.”