MLB

HOLES FILLED, YANKS & METS READY TO ROLL

The general managers did their jobs, now the players have to fulfill their end of the bargain.

Brian Cashman and Omar Minaya filled the holes on their respective rosters — for the Yankees, that was first base (Mark Teixeira) and starting pitching (CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett); for the Mets, that was the bullpen (Francisco Rodriguez, J.J. Putz).

“Cashman and the Yankees have done everything they could to make this a World Series team,” YES analyst John Flaherty said.

“Omar Minaya’s biggest need was relief and he went out and addressed it. K-Rod and Putz are two quality guys who can shorten the game. If the starters can go five, six solid innings then you feel really good about your chances.

“I think both general managers in New York did what they had to do and it’s now up to the players, managers and coaching staff to go out there and perform.”

Last season, the Yankees’ streak of 13 consecutive trips came to an end in Joe Girardi’s first year at the helm. The Yankees were concentrating on youth with Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy in the starting rotation, but with Sabathia and Burnett now aboard, Girardi may not get another pass.

“Every season with the Yankees, winning the World Series is the goal,” Flaherty said. “Obviously missing the playoffs last year, this team has felt more of a sense of urgency than in the past.

“Joe would be the first to admit [that he needs to make the playoffs this season]. You manage the New York Yankees, getting to the playoffs is almost a must and getting to the World Series is expected.”

And Jerry Manuel cannot feel much more comfortable in Flushing. The Mets axed Willie Randolph after a sluggish start to 2008, but the move was set in motion when the Mets collapsed the previous season. Manuel righted the ship after taking over for Randolph, but again the Amazin’s fell victim to a September swoon. So the Mets ownership will be looking for signs this team has recovered from another collapse with a solid start in 2009. And a strong finish wouldn’t be bad either.

“You can play great baseball all year long, but when September comes rolling around that’s all you are going to hear about,” said Flaherty, who was a member of the Yankees team that blew a 3-0 lead to the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS.

“Unfortunately with me and the Yankees we didn’t get the chance to avenge that loss to Boston in the playoffs, yet. The Mets are going to have another opportunity. . . The only way to erase those memories is to overcome it. They definitely have the team to do it this year.”

Both teams open on the road, with the Mets in Cincinnati and the Bombers in Baltimore, where Flaherty expects the team to get off to a good start despite not having Alex Rodriguez until perhaps mid-May.

“The Yankees rotation this year is so solid that they can withstand the loss of Alex for a month and a half,” Flaherty said. “I throw the beginning of the season on the rotation to go out there and dominate until Alex comes back.”

justin.terranova@nypost.com