Brian Cashman’s job is safe – at least for now. The rest of the Yankees have plenty to worry about this winter.

Soon after the Yankees completed a historic collapse against Boston in the AL playoffs, volatile owner George Steinbrenner told Cashman, the team’s general manager, that he will not be fired before next season.

Steinbrenner also informed Cashman he should prepare to be summoned to Tampa, Fla., for meetings in the next few days: The star-studded Yankees need to figure out why they fell apart against the Red Sox after opening a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven ALCS.

“He wants results for his investment, like any businessman,” Cashman said yesterday.

Cashman has one year remaining on his contract. It’s his job to spend Steinbrenner’s money wisely and bring championships to the Big Apple, but the Yankees have gone four years without winning the World Series.

He knows what he needs to look for in the offseason.

“It’ll be pitching,” Cashman said. “I don’t think offense is a problem on this club.”

Despite a $183 million opening day payroll, the Yankees were short on starting pitching all season. When they wanted to add Randy Johnson during the summer, they didn’t have enough major league-ready prospects to interest Arizona in a trade.

Injuries to the aging rotation forced manager Joe Torre to overwork his bullpen,leaving the team vulnerable in the playoffs – even with a seemingly insurmountable lead.

“Those are the areas we’re going to look at, the bullpen and the rotation,” Cashman said. “I thought this past winter was more difficult. We had a great amount of holes to fill. This winter, we don’t have three guys coming out of the rotation, but we do have pitching needs, nonetheless.”

New York became the first team to blow a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven series. The rival Red Sox celebrated right in the middle of Yankee Stadium.

Still, Steinbrenner was classy in defeat yesterday.

“I congratulate the Boston Red Sox on their great victory,” he said in a statement. “I want to thank our loyal fans for their enormous support. Of course, I am disappointed because I wanted a championship for them and for our city. You can be assured, we will get to work and produce a great team next year.”

Help is probably on the way. The Yankees are said to be extremely interested in Carlos Beltran, the multitalented center fielder who is having a huge postseason with the Houston Astros.

Beltran can become a free agent after the World Series, and the Yankees are probably one of the few teams that can afford him. The Yankees also expect slugger Jason Giambi to be completely healthy by spring training.

The Yankees are sure to add a starting pitcher.

“There’s a lot of names, but I’ve got to dig now into the scouting reports,” Cashman said. “I feel I know how to do this job. I feel I do a good job.”

Bench coach Willie Randolph could be headed to Flushing. He is scheduled to interview Monday with new Mets general manager Omar Minaya for their manager’s job.