By Jim Scott
DNAinfo Senior Editor
MANHATTAN — Derek Jeter will end his career in Pinstripes if he gets his way.
The Yankees captain and pending free agent addressed his contract situation with reporters Wednesday morning before New York's first full-squad spring training workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field, in Tampa Bay.
"This is the only organization I ever wanted to play for. This is where I want to be," Jeter told reporters, whose 10-year, $189 million deal expires at the end of the season.
"I never envisioned myself playing anywhere else and hopefully I don’t have to."
The 35-year-old shortstop has been remarkably consistent, hitting .334 with 18 home runs and 107 runs scored in 153 games last year to help the Yankees win their fifth World Series since he entered the big leagues in 1995.
However, the Yankees have made a conscious effort this off-season to inject some youth into their roster. New York did not resign aging outfielders Johnny Damon, 36, and World Series MVP Hideki Matsui, 35, despite their large contributions to the team.
Jeter has remained relatively healthy while playing the demanding shortstop position well into his 30s. He's played at least 150 games in six straight seasons and in eight of the last nine.
The Yankees have no plans to give Jeter a contract extension during the season. The team has a policy of waiting until a player plays out his contract before giving them a new deal. A policy enforced in years past with popular players like Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada.
Jeter needs 253 more hits to become the first Yankees player to reach 3,000 hits in a career. The Yankees would have to give Jeter at least a two-year contract extension for him to reach the mark during the 2011 season.
Jeter said that Wednesday would be final time he will address his contract with reporters until after the 2010 season, out of respect for his teammates and the Yankees.
"I think it's unfair to be talking about myself when we're trying to win," Jeter said. "That's the approach I've always had. It's not going to change. I know it's going to cause speculation and stories out there, but it won't be a distraction because I won't be talking about it."
