FORT MYERS, Fla. -- While the Boston Red Sox were in the midst of a historic collapse last September, veteran third baseman Kevin Youkilis could only sit back and watch the horrific implosion.

Youkilis was bothered by a sports hernia and bursitis in his hip for the majority of the 2011 season. He tried to play through the discomfort and pain but once August rolled around, the team thought it best to shut him down for a couple of weeks. He briefly tried to come back in September, struggled mightily and eventually needed season-ending surgery to repair the hernia, having played just 120 games.

He arrived at camp a week early and deems himself healthy and ready for another grueling season.

“Last year was a tough year and I never felt 100 percent," Youkilis said. "It was definitely a grind and trying to get through it, but it’s definitely good to come into spring training feeling good. There are going to be times when you’re sore because you can’t go through a whole baseball season at 100 percent.”

In the final week of the season, while the team was in Baltimore to play the Orioles, Youkilis was on the outside looking in.

“I don’t like sitting back and watching baseball. I like playing baseball and really enjoy the game and competing," he said. "For me, it’s all about getting on base and playing defense and high-fiving each other on the back of the mound when the games are over, so to sit back and see all the losing and seeing guys in the clubhouse so upset and hurt, it was tough to watch. No matter what you say, you can’t do anything. You want to give advice and you put your two cents in here and there, but it hurts more to sit back and see guys pretty upset and beat up mentally from losing.”

Assuming veteran catcher Jason Varitek doesn't return, Youkilis and David Ortiz will be the only players remaining from the 2004 World Series team. Youkilis is in the last year of a four-year, $41.1 million contract, but the Red Sox have a club option for 2013.

“I already hit the jackpot in monetary terms," he said. "The way I look at life, I don’t live a different kind of lifestyle where I’m flashy and all of that. Money is not why I play this game. I play this game because I love the game and I love going out there and competing.”

Youkilis says he’s not worried about playing in a contract year, his only concern is winning the World Series.

“My job is to win ballgames and I know if I’m out there starting every day and we win a World Series, there’s a good chance I will come back. That’s my whole goal because I know if we win and we win a World Series, it’s going to be hard for them not to bring me back. I’m going to make it as hard on them as possible not to bring me back.”