I don't see Brez making a deal just to look like he's addressing the hole on our lineup. He may be content with Toro-Romy at 1B, and since they are doing as well as Casas, when healthy (minu the power) I cans ee why he's waiting.
While I do think the kids could have been called up sooner, I wouldn't use the word "belatedly." We had some other players worthy of playing time, and several were doing real well, especially the OF vs adding Anthony.
The DH slot had Devers, so there was no "give" there in finding playing time. I think the initial boost KC gave to the team over the first few games, made us all think Mayer and Anthony would do the same. Several felt both deserved a look before KC.
I like how Brez has handled it. I'm bummed we still have no obvious 2B solution after years of attempts, including a trade of a CYA winner for a 2Bman. Downs was also the great hope in the Betts trade. If you want to count 2020 and 2025 as one full season, we have a 2.1 fWAR at 2B since 2018. That's 7 seasons at about a 0.3 fWAR. The stat line:
.241 13 66 (.298 OBP/.366 SLG/ .663 OPS and minus Defense: -19 DRS and -29 OAA.) We don't have a single 2Bman that had more than 550 PAs at 2B in 8 seasons combined! The cycling and recycling has been like a merry-go-round of ineptitude or mediocrity, at best. The short stint by Story was the only highlight, while Holt and Arroyo gave us "meh" play. Here are our 2Bmen since 2018. Note the PAs and think of their defense.
544 Arroyo .739
412 Holt .763 (was needed at other positions or could have had most)
396 Story .737
375 Nunez .615
350 EValdez .651
304 Kike .901 (did well for a half season)
.254 Chavis .711 (We'd die for .711, now.)
227 KC .685 (8th in PAs is telling)
197 DHam .546
100-140: Kinsler, Marco, Marwin, Grissom & Reyes
50-99: Arauz, Peraza, Urias, Romy, Iggy
20-49: Y Sanchez, Sogard, Westbrook, Lin, owings, Pedey, Turner, Downs, Ceddanne
10-19: Chang, Lopez, Phillips, Wong & Gasper
God awful bunch, here.