Just my opinion, but what I think they really should do is make the smaller, cheaper ships a little more worthwhile to keep. The smaller mass of the Eagle should be a tangible advantage when it comes to maneuverability vs larger ships, for example.
That way you can still strive for the more expensive ships, but you also have a reason to keep some of the cheaper ones.
That way you can still strive for the more expensive ships, but you also have a reason to keep some of the cheaper ones.