If they do decide to upgrade at catcher, I just don't see us paying that money for Cervelli, even if you minus Vaz's contract. I'm not sure Pitt wants to pay any of his salary.
He does have a good rep as being sharp with pitchers, and his past staffs have liked working with him. To me, that is essential in any move we make for a new catcher.
Your point is valid. If we look to upgrade somewhere else, knowing we are downgrading our pen or rotation, catcher offense jumps out at us. The other position is 2B, but I see that as a wait and see position with Pedey, Holt and Nunez all looking to do well enough to make that slot a push or better. I just can't see us throwing more money at 2B. Pedey, Nunez and Holt rate to make about $24M between the 3 of them.
We may just try to go more quantity over quality with our staff acquisitions and keep the contracts shorter and more conducive to a re-set of the tax down the road.