Why are summoners so neglected?

[xxvaynxx]

But because of poor balance, Garuda is a must have. If they remove Contagion, Garuda will be garbage..

I wouldn't say it would make Garuda garbage but it would certainly make things more balanced and give us the chance to use iffy-kun based on the party comp.
Have a bard? use garuda. Have mch? use ifrit. Don't have any? Use what you want.
Though in dgn's you could always use what you want anyway because faceroll, but you'll never been in a savage raid static without a bard or mch.