One could also say he brought back the same team in 2025 that finished in last place the previous season, but got lucky by a fluke season where everyone over performed and now they’re back to the norm.
It’s tough to excuse a last place finish with a top 5 payroll, let alone twice in three years. They also didn’t win a single playoff game in 3/4 of those appearances you mentioned.
My biggest issue is the pitching. They haven’t been able to develop any pitchers in the decade he’s been here (outside of Manoah for 1-2 years and now Yesavage). We are relying on guys like Scherzer and have nothing in our system to navigate injuries. Didn’t he promise wave after wave of talent like the Rays and Brewers have?