It does not work that way. Republicans are trying to avoid a fight. Democrats will fight them regardless. Might as well put a known quantity to make the fight you are going to have anyway mean something rather than maybe mean something.
You see, I have been following these Supreme Court picks for 25 years or so. Republicans always try to avoid the fight. The one lone exception was Thomas, and look how great he turned out. Worth every minute of effort and heartache to get him in there.
Each time they try to avoid the fight, they end up getting one anyway. Why not fight and have the assurance that the effort will be rewarded for the next 20-30 years?
Do you really think this "sets the stage" for a more conservative nominee later? Hogwash.