No doubt, for as much as you saw complaints about Reyes or Castro^2 or Soto in season, there's like a Stockholm Syndrome type thing that some of the fanbase appears to have toward them now that they are gone. The devil you know vs the ones you don't maybe? I dont get it
As far as the Vierling comparison goes, again, setting aside even just metrics, he was good enough to be on the playoff roster for the Phillies while Reyes, this offseason, couldn't land more than a minor league deal and ST invite.
The assessment from the league couldn't be any clearer on this question.