He shouldn't be the face of the franchise? He is so just deal with that. If we can pay Springer $25M per why not Vladdy?
If the long term investment is a concern as you say well they all are. That's how it works. Pay me now and suffer later on. How do you think Harper will be doing the last three years of his contract when he is a part time dh with a .700 ops, maybe if he's lucky. Ten years at $25-30M per year for a 25 year old is a pittance. If Rogers can't/won't pay that then sell the team.
Go Alpha or go home you betas!