What you are describing is not unlike what they did in BF4 and BF3. Some of it is worthwhile in my opinion because they do add some interesting new game modes along the way. You are also able to play pretty well with the base game. I haven't played in a while but you use to be able to pick you games based on the map packs you have some not having some of the expansions did not hurt your experience. The original maps were pretty good.
Also some of the new game modes (arial battle only, tank battle only, domination) where pretty good and some made their way in the next version of the game. Dom for example was an expansion in BF3 and was part of BF4 on release.
What I don't like is paying my $15 for 5 maps, one of which is a reskin of an old map. Nuketown or hijack for example. How many version of the map do we need? Can't they make something original that is just as good?
I'll see how beta goes in the next few days and they if I buy it, it will be without the DLCs which I can always buy later. Buying the DLCs at release is a risky thing to do. The Division is a good example. That game is totally fucked up, I am glad I didn't get any of the expansions