If you focus on JBJ's extra base hits, you're missing the fact that he's second-best on the team, % wise, in getting on base without a hit, by BB and HBP.
OPS, while crude, doesn't miss that.
And in the previous SB he was incredible but the defense was awful. Brady has very few bad games. He gives his team a huge edge.
Baseball is more of a team game than football. In baseball one player cannot be the difference on an ongoing basis. Even an ace like Chris Sale can only help you every fifth game.
Personally, I think while it's fun to talk in theoretical terms, it's even more interesting to look at what the real managers are doing.
I do tend to think Cora is a manager trying to blend new school and old school stuff.
And I find it interesting he puts JD in the 3 slot and the 4 slot about equally.