DJ LeMahieu had stellar and lucrative MLB career. What's next for him?

DJ LeMahieu isn't doing it for the money. LeMahieu, a four-time Gold Glove winner, three-time All-Star and two-time batting champion in a 15-year major-league career, is coming home to a Metro Detroit dugout near you. On Wednesday, he was named the new manager of the Royal Oak Leprechauns, a college summer ball team .

LeMahieu was released from his contract by the New York Yankees last summer, and finally said his goodbyes to the Big Apple in an Instagram post late last month, ahead of Wednesday's announcement. LeMahieu, 37, will continue to pursue playing opportunities, but until those come (if they do), he will be managing the Leprechauns, who start their Northwoods League season May 25 at home in Royal Oak. A former star at Birmingham Brother Rice, LeMahieu has been a longtime donor to the Leprechauns.

“DJ has been hands-on throughout the entire offseason, and that’s meant everything to our staff,” Leprechauns general manager Danny Weiss said Wednesday. “As he steps into the field manager role, that same commitment carries over to the players he leads. He cares deeply about building a culture players want to be part of — and that’s going to set the standard for everything we do in 2026 and beyond.

” The Leprechauns play at Royal Oak's Memorial Park, near Woodward Avenue and 13 Mile Road. The field underwent major renovations and upgrades in 2020 and 2021, with LeMahieau's financial backing. LeMahieu made more than $130 million in salary during his major-league career, including $15 million a year since 2021 from the Yankees.