I'm less worried about the 2025 MLB payroll and more worried about:
1. Analytics budget
2. Player development budget
...not that we'd really get to see that, but the MLB goals for 2025 should be:
1. If lower-ceiling players (the Sosas of the world) are close to ready, give them playing time and development opportunities at the MLB level.
2. Fill the other positions with intelligent flippable-reclamation-project signings. Guys like Flexen, etc., who can come cheap, but this time, focus on players that the analytics and player development staff identify as "we can fix that" guys. If they aren't working out, dump 'em early and move onto the next guy. If they somehow work out, flip 'em for AA / AAA prospects.
2025 will be painful regardless at the MLB level, so you might as well focus on building up assets to have some hope of a core to emerge in 2026.
So, in summary, we're all doomed.