No one was talking publicly at the time, of course. My recollection is the same as yours. However, I did spend a little time searching, and the only article I found that would mention the ever popular "sources with knowledge" is this one: http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/mobi/?p=Mackey_Twins_GM_switch_stemmed_from_confidence_lost_in_Bill_Smith110711 It specifically denies that payroll was the issue. Whether one chooses to accept unnamed sources is going to determine how much weight to place on this as evidence. For what it's worth, my opinion is now changed.