Not ideal for the player I imagine. It's possible to build a top tier group without having to spend cash, BUT you have to put in some serious work. So you are right that it isn't a game style for a casual player, yes Mut 23 coins. I'd only run superstar KO. You match up against other casuals, and you get to have fun with the hero skills. And way less tryhards. Coming from mut sweats all year, KO and playing regs was a cake walk.
MUT isn't built for casual play. I have not put in much cash and have a top tier team, this year, but I have put in a couple hundred, if not thousand, of hours. Yeah I have not played Mut 23 but I recall in additional mut's I did not pay any cash but would devote hours and hours. Gets kinda boring but makes it interesting after you start getting a group that is really good to play with. I started playing investment cap and while there's some interesting teams mixed in, I have run into 3 this morning with 70s everywhere but around the OL and RB using 99 safeties all over the defense.
Today you can take action. In a few months I have made a 98 team. Have not spent anything been a project in lockdown. The reduction in cost of Legends packs really helped (as did the fan appreciation packs that I do not think can be found any longer unfortunately). Though I've never played with a game online against anyone - only played because I am turd. I guarantee I'm not trying to trash talk but it's so easy to get coins from wl and I feel all gamers are inexpensive asf rn so provided that you're able to get a nice number of wins it ought to be simple.
You have to put money or time in, although I will not say you have to grind to get a top-team. That said, the ancient game is really the best time to put yourself up for success within the entire year IF you capitalize on coin-making methods along with your high-tier pulls. For instance, I managed to make a good number of coins throughout the EA Access interval by selling my top pulls and turning hyped elites after the Madden NFL 23 match drops (Bobby Wagner and Jamal Adams, assuming they are rated appropriately, are gonna maintain high demand early, especially if Avalanche ends up as OP as individuals anticipate ) madden 23 coins buy. Just don't get greedy and be patient on the AH.