There have been enough balls that have just dropped in that other OFers would have made plays on. He makes a weird combination of great plays and head scratchers.
Over the previous 25 years, there is only one season where a 90 win team would have been shut out from the current 12 team playoff format: the 2021 Seattle Mariners. Every other team that won 90 games that year would have been in the playoffs.
Rays - 100 wins AL East
ChiSox - 93 wins AL Central
Astros - 95 wins AL West
Sox - 92 wins WC1
Yanks - 91 wins WC2
Jays - 91 wins WC3
Mariners - 90 wins
I don't think people argued going for 2 #2's because the Sox have never gone out and done that kind of thing before. If it was a realistic option in November, you may have some people buy in at that time.
In '22 when Trout had 40 HR, Ohtani had 34 (9.6 bWAR with pitching) and Sandoval had an ERA under 3, the rest of the offense was so bad (4 everyday starters under 700) that the Angels were 25th in runs, 24th in defense, 1st in k%. Record was 73-89!
Even if the players eventually work out in year 3 or 4, the years of control are already halfway over. It just makes no sense. There is every reason in the world to give a player an extra few years of seasoning prior to being promoted (years of control, PPI, better developed tools).