I don't think anyone here disagrees with this, and Soto probably isn't coming to Atlanta.
All I'm pointing out is the Braves bumped right up against the 3rd CBT tier this year already at $277M, and that threshold will be $281M in 2025. The current 2025 payroll appears to be $185M, while losing (or potentially losing) Morton, Ozuna, TDA, Bummer, Matzek, Fried, Minter, and zero arb players of note.
So that's $90M-$95M AA should have to spend to replace 2 SP, DH, backup C and 2-3 high leverage BP arms. I fully expect TDA to be back for $8M, so that leaves $80M-$85M for 2 SP, a DH, and 2-3 BP arms.
Assuming AJSS or Waldrep takes 1 of the Morton/Fried SP spots, the Braves could give $25M to Fried (Nola only got $24.5M) and STILL have $50M left over for Soto to play LF/DH. A 12/500 deal is a $42M hit. Fried plus Soto could theoretically be a $67M hit that STILL leaves $13M-$18M for the BP.
Certainly not likely, but the Braves do have the roster need (DH, potentially LF) and cash to make it worth at least speculating, which has never been the case for premium FAs since the Turner days.
And I don't think anyone needs any help imaging Acuna/Soto at the top of a lineup. It would be absurdly good to say the least.