This team would be questioning very few things right now if Vlad was even midway between his current self and his 2021 self. There is talk about the bullpen/starting pitching, but the reality is that it's the offense that is forcing the pitching to be near perfect and probably magnifying errors that are expected even from a great pitching staff. Doesn't help that Springer has been a black hole for large stretches of the season either, but Vlad is the primary reason. Your best talents need to be your best talents.
Gausman has been great, Berrios/Kikuchi being solid has helped with Manoah's fall from grace, Bassitt has no doubt been serviceable. Vlad is unacceptable.