Former Brewer to play important role in MLB's upcoming labor negotiations

Major League Baseball is less than eight months away from what could be an inflection point in the league's history. On December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET, the current Collective Bargaining Agreement that governs the relationship between the league and the MLB Player's Association (MLBPA) will expire, and if a new agreement isn't agreed upon before then, a lockout will ensure.

Lockouts aren't uncommon. In fact, the last time the CBA expired, in December of 2021, a lockout that lasted until March 10, just weeks before the following season was set to begin, occurred. However, this year, there's growing concern that the lockout will drag on into the regular season and force MLB to cancel a portion of the 2027 season.

The main reason for the concern is that the league is expected to push for a salary cap due to the growing financial inequality among MLB organizations. However, the players view this as a policy that can only hurt them, believing it will limit their future earning power. Add in the team owners, who, for the most part, side with the league, and it's bound to be a contentious battle this winter.

Another added wrinkle is that the MLBPA is currently experiencing plenty of change to its leadership group. In February of this year, former president Tony Clark, who had a 15-year MLB career, resigned from the position while under investigation for both financial malpractices and an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who worked for the MLBPA. Attorney Bruce Meyer took over as the interim president of the MLBPA and remains in the role to this day.

Just moments ago, ESPN insider Jeff Passan announced that a former member of the Milwaukee Brewers will join the MLBPA's leadership team. As Passan reported on the social media platform X, former Brewers pitcher Chris Capuano has been named the new Chief Operating Officer of the MLBPA.

Brewer legend Chris Capuano takes over as the Chief Operating Officer of the MLB Player's Association ahead of CBA negotiations

Capuano was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 1999 MLB Draft and made his debut with the Snakes in 2003. However, following his introductory season, he was traded to the Brewers in a deal that sent Richie Sexson to Arizona and Capuano, Craig Counsell, Chad Moeller, Lyle Overbay, Jorge De La Rosa, and Junior Spivey to Milwaukee.

The left-handed Capuano went on to have a solid tenure in Milwaukee, even cracking the NL All-Star team in 2006. From 2004 to 2010, with the 2008 and 2009 seasons omitted due to injuries, Capuano made 121 starts for the Crew and posted a 4.34 ERA. After leaving for the New York Mets in 2011, Capuano bounced around to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees before returning to Milwaukee in 2016. Despite being 37, and enduring several major injuries throughout his career, Capuano posted a serviceable 4.13 ERA in 16 appearances for the Brewers in 2016 before calling it a career.

Capuano officially retired from the game in 2018, though he hadn't played in MLB for two years prior. According to Passan, he then joined the MLBPA as a senior director of operations in business and strategy. Now promoted to COO, Capuano will presumably play a large role in what is going to be a very important year for the MLBPA.

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