The Yankees have stayed in contact with those remaining at the top of the free agent market, but salary restrictions imposed by owner Hal Steinbrenner have kept them from writing checks, according to a report from the New York Post's Joel Sherman.

From the report:

"This is the current reality we live in," (general manager Brian) Cashman said. "I stayed in touch with all those guys [who signed]. If they fall in a certain number [the Yankees are in play]. ... The numbers that came in were above that."

The report said that Cashman added that the team just about reached the payroll ceiling Steinbrenner set at the start of the offseason after giving designated hitter Matt Holliday a one-year deal worth $13 million and lefty closer Aroldis Chapman a five-year, $86-million contract.

The fact the Yankees must pay 50 percent for every dollar they spent over the luxury tax threshold doesn't help things.

Here's a look at the Yankees' offseason transactions so far:

Chris Carter to Yankees?

Signed closer Aroldis Chapman to a five-year, $86-million deal

-- Adding Chapman to a unit with Dellin Betances has once again given the Yankees one of the league's best bullpen back ends.

Traded catcher Brian McCann and $11 million to Houston for two prospects

-- The team moved McCann at what was likely his peak trade value, considering Gary Sanchez took the job last season from the veteran, who's stated his preference to be a starter. The trade netted the Yankees right-hander Albert Abreu, whom MLB.com ranks as the team's 10th best prospect.

Signed DH Matt Holliday to a one-year, $13-million deal

-- Trading McCann opened the DH spot for Holliday, a seven-time All-Star out to prove he's still got something left in his once-potent bat. Holliday is also expected to provide occasional coverage in the outfield corners and at first base.

Signed infielder Ruben Tejada to a minor-league deal

-- Tejada is expected to compete with the light-hitting, slick-fielding Ronald Torreyes for the team's final bench spot.

Won't talk extension with Masahiro Tanaka

The 28-year-old ace can become a free agent at season's end, when he can opt out of the seven-year, $155-million deal he signed before the 2014 season.

Will go to arbitration with Dellin Betances

-- The Yankees and Betances have a $2-million gulf between how much each expects the three-time All-Star reliever to get paid in 2017, his first year through salary arbitration. The Yankees want to give Betances $3 million. Betances wants $5 million.

Yankees rotation openings

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook. 

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