The 2011 New York Yankees season was the 109th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees began the season at home against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, March 31. The Yankees clinched a playoff berth in the first game of a doubleheader on September 21, and clinched the AL East division title in the second game. The Yankees season ended on October 6 when they lost a deciding Game 5 of the 2011 American League Division Series to the Detroit Tigers 3–2. It was the first time since 2007 that the Yankees lost an elimination game at home.
The 2011 season was the final season in the playing career of longtime Yankees catcher Jorge Posada.
Offseason
Manager Joe Girardi's three-year contract with the Yankees ended at the conclusion of the 2010 season. Having won one World Series and bringing his team to the playoffs the past two seasons, the Yankees quickly signed him to a new 3-year deal worth $9 million. After firing pitching coach Dave Eiland, they replaced him with Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild.
In November, they added minor leaguers Melky Mesa, Dellin Betances, Ryan Pope, and Brandon Laird to the 40-man roster. Mesa had to be added to avoid eligibility to be a minor league free agent, while Betances, Pope, and Laird had to be added to prevent being eligible for the Rule 5 draft.
In November, long-time Yankees Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera all became free agents, as well as veterans Nick Johnson, Javier Vázquez, Marcus Thames, Kerry Wood, Lance Berkman, Austin Kearns, and Chad Moeller. Dustin Moseley and Alfredo Aceves also became free agents as the Yankees opted not to tender their contracts. On November 18, 2010, the Yankees traded Juan Miranda to the Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league pitcher Scottie Allen. On November 19, 2010, they released reliever Jonathan Albaladejo per an agreement made with Albaladejo and the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.
Sergio Mitre avoided arbitration with the Yankees by signing a one-year, $900,000 deal. Derek Jeter and the Yankees agreed to a new contract of $51 million over 3 years with fourth-year option after 2013. Mariano Rivera signed a two-year, $30 million contract with the Yankees, which he hinted may be the last contract of his career.
In the Rule 5 draft, the Yankees selected pitchers Robert Fish from the Angels and Daniel Turpen from the Red Sox. The Astros meanwhile selected Yankees minor leaguer Lance Pendleton while the Padres selected George Kontos.
On December 13, 2010, it was announced that top free agent Cliff Lee rejected the Yankees six-year, $138 million contract offer to sign a five-year, $120 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee was the Yankees top priority in the offseason. In his place, the Yankees signed catcher Russell Martin and reliever Pedro Feliciano.
The Yankees have signed various former Major Leaguers to minor league deals, such as Brian Anderson, Luis Ayala, Ronnie Belliard, Doug Bernier, Buddy Carlyle, Eric Chavez, Bartolo Colón, Neal Cotts, Freddy García, Gustavo Molina, Mark Prior, Andy Sisco, and Luis Vizcaíno. Vizcaino's contract was later voided due to injury. They also claimed outfielder Jordan Parraz off of waivers from the Boston Red Sox.
In January 2011, the Yankees signed Rafael Soriano to a three-year contract worth $35 million and agreed with Andruw Jones on a one-year, $2 million contract, pending a physical. This deal was made official on February 14.
On February 2, the Yankees acquired Justin Maxwell from the Washington Nationals in a trade for minor league pitcher Adam Olbrychowski. To make room for him on the roster, Parraz was designated for assignment.
On February 4, Andy Pettitte announced his retirement from baseball via press conference. Pettitte played 13 seasons with the Yankees and 3 with the Astros, he was a 3x All Star selection, a 5x World Series champion, and finally a 2001 ALCS MVP.
Roster
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
March/April
Facing the Detroit Tigers on Opening Day, Mariano Rivera notched his 560th career save to pull within 42 saves of surpassing Trevor Hoffman for the all-time Major League record. This also marked Rivera's third career Opening Day save.
On April 3 Mark Teixeira hit his third straight home run of the season, in three consecutive days marking the first time a Yankees player had accomplished this since Dave Winfield did it in 1983. Never before—not even in their Murderers' Row days—had the Yanks hit nine homers through their first three games. Eight had been enough twice, in 1932 and '81.