We live in a world where the frugal Mets lose homegrown superstars to the free-spending Marlins, so obviously things have changed a little bit when it comes to the NL East. From ESPN New York:
↵... the Mets appear poised to have the biggest one-year payroll drop in MLB history -- roughly $52 million. That would surpass the former record: $48.4 million by the Texas Rangers from 2003 to 2004, according to ESPN Stats & Information.↵
Before you feel too sorry for them, remember that the payroll is still twice that of the Oakland A's.