Tampa, Fla. - Yankees captain Derek Jeter plans to enjoy his upcoming trip to 3,000 career hits.

The shortstop is 74 hits from the milestone entering the 2011 season.

"It's going to be a party the whole year," Jeter joked on Sunday. "I've always been one that tries to shy away from anything that's personal and not talk about it much. Couldn't wait for it to be over with because I really didn't like the focus to be on me. Now, I think, it's going to be more of enjoying every day."

The 36-year-old is the Yankees' all-time hits leader.

"It's something that's very hard to do," Jeter of getting 3,000 hits. "Not too many people have done it. Even though it's not a Yankees' record, it's still a Yankee uniform."

Jeter had an off season in 2010, hitting .270, which was well below his career average of .314.

"I'm motivated coming into every season," Jeter said. "I understand what my job is. My job is to come and play shortstop and try to help this team win. That's never changed over 15 years, and it's not going to change now."

Jeter doesn't feel like he was disrespected this winter after negotiations with the Yankees became public and a little snippy en route a $51 million, three-year deal.

"From Day 1, the ultimate goal was to be here," Jeter said. "I'm here and I'm happy about it."

New York manager Joe Girardi said Jeter has always handled things in a professional manner.

"Ready to play, ready to win, ready to do what it takes," Girardi said. "If he gets his 3,000th on a day that we lose, he's not going to be real happy about it. He'll be happy about the hit, but not about the result."

Jeter, who starts his onfield drills in January, admits the offseason workouts get tougher each year.

"When you're younger, I don't think you have to do as much," Jeter said. "You get older, you need to take less time off. It's easier to stay in shape than get back into shape."

Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long continued working with Jeter during Sunday's first full squad workout on changes to his front foot stride, which was first used late last season.

Long feels the change will be "instrumental" in helping to produce a strong season for Jeter.

"Is Derek Jeter's best baseball behind him? I'm not ready to say that," Long said.

AL East rival Boston made offseason improvements - including the additions of outfielder Carl Crawford and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez - that Jeter believes were as good as any team in baseball.

"I would assume they are one of the favorites," Jeter said. "I don't know if anyone, really, picks one favorite. Boston is up there with every team in the game. Last year they had a great team, but had a lot of injuries. We understand how difficult it is to play them. We look forward to playing them."

• 2B Robinson Cano was in camp after missing Saturday's physicals because he got the reporting date mixed up. Cano first become beware of the situation when he got a call in New York from the Yankees asking where he was. He has apologized to team officials. ... DH Jorge Posada is working out at first base and will start catching bullpen sessions soon. Posada, who may get limited time at catcher this season, had offseason surgery for a minor tear in his left knee.