Welcome back!
Seeing as you already have a SCSI interface, I think a CD drive is a worthwhile investment. It should be quite cheap, and, as mentioned, it will open the door to some more libraries of software. If you get one that can read CD-RWs (some particularly old SCSI drives can't, like my 4x one), you might find it an easier way to transfer files from your Linux box (could be faster than a serial link). There are more modern solutions (clockport card + USB card + USB thumbdrive) but they'll require more of an investment.
It's strange that your floppy drives are wearing out so quickly. They might just need a substantial cleaning - the kind that involves opening the drive an cleaning the mechanical bits with alcohol. I need to do that on a few of my drives
