The 2011 Toronto Blue Jays season was the 35th season of Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays franchise, and the 22nd full season of play (23rd overall) at the Rogers Centre. It was also the first season with John Farrell as the team's manager. The Blue Jays had an up-and-down season, finishing with an 81–81 record, in fourth place in the American League East. AL East Records vs opponents Season summary Following an unexpectedly successful 2010 season, one of the Blue Jays' priorities was to find a replacement for retiring manager Cito Gaston. After reviewing many candidates, the Blue Jays vetted four finalists, Sandy Alomar Jr., DeMarlo Hale, John Farrell and their third base coach Brian Butterfield. The Jays hired Farrell on October 22, 2010. Relief pitcher Scott Downs declined arbitration, becoming a free agent; he signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on December 10, 2010. Catcher John Buck was also expected to leave, as GM Alex Anthopoulos and several commentators noted that he deserved a full-time job and contract coming off an all-star season, but that the Jays would be looking to prospect J. P. Arencibia as their starting catcher, after he hit .301 with 32 home runs in 104 Triple-A games. The Jays made several notable acquisitions through free agency, including relievers Jon Rauch and Octavio Dotel. On November 17, 2010, the Blue Jays traded for outfielder Rajai Davis from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for two minor league pitchers Trystan Magnuson and Danny Farquhar. On January 21, the Blue Jays announced a blockbuster deal that sent the face of the franchise, Vernon Wells, to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, in exchange for catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera. Four days later, the Blue Jays traded Napoli to the Texas Rangers for reliever Frank Francisco, Rivera was Designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on July 3, 2011, and acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers with cash for a player to be named later or cash back. On February 17, the Blue Jays announced that José Bautista had agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $64 million. Bautista led the MLB with 54 home runs, won the AL Hank Aaron Award and placed fourth in MVP balloting in 2010. On June 1, in a game against the Cleveland Indians, Eric Thames, Rajai Davis and Jayson Nix hit back-to-back-to-back triples for the first time