Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that during the 2020 season Braun would spend some time at DH, and would also play right field and first base. Braun entered the final guaranteed year of his contract, as he and the Brewers had a $15 million mutual option for 2021, with a $4 million buyout. On September 16, Braun hit his 350th career home run, and was fifth in homers among all active players, and tied for 95th among MLB’s all-time home run hitters (one behind Dick Allen). In the pandemic-shortened 2020 regular season, Braun slashed .233/.281/.488 with 8 home runs and 26 RBIs in 129 at bats. In October, the Brewers opted to pay Braun the $4 million buyout rather than exercising the $15 million option, making him a free agent for the first time in his career.