This is why a Vlad deal only makes sense if the AAV is at least close to his current final arbitration projection.
Vlad for $30M or a bit more, fine. The upside is there in any given year so it makes sense to pay for the MVP potential.
Vlad for more like $40M, insanity. The going rate for a good hitter on a pillow contract is around $20M, and that's if they are younger and interesting like Hoskins/Bellinger, the older guys are more like $12M or $14M, so like you said in any given year you could just get two of them. Or say, Joc Pederson + Lourdes Gurriel + Jack Flaherty (veteran on a 1 year deal, position player on a shorter term deal, and your favourite prove it SP or RP).