What's wrong with treating SMN as the mage it is?
The only part about SMN that says mage is the MP. That means PLD is a mage, DRK is a mage, BLU is a mage, even though many would consider them as front line jobs.

Besides our issue is hardly about if the job is called a mage or not. It's that we get nothing to fill in between our ridiculous timers.

- Spirits.... take as long as the recast to even start casting a random spell... useless.
- Melee... no helping traits or abilities. Do have WSes at least.
- Watch... rather boring.
- Equip some magey sub and cast cures... Most common option, but hardly something that makes you feel like a Summoner and not a half level subjob.