The boring mage of red

[Tila]

And your argument is basically "RDM was used in a specific way in the console FFs, and I'm ignoring that turn-based combat requires different design from other game genres". SE already took the first step in the right direction when they gave RDM enspells in FFXI, so all I'm doing is following that idea to its logical conclusion, and using examples from other MMOs to help bring that to fruition. As I said, if you want I can give you a list of mechanics that work for a sword & spell hybrid, which in essence is what we call a Red Mage. Or are you going to tell me that a system where a RDM is comboing melee skills and white/black magic spells (which can be done in a couple of ways) does not play into the hybrid nature of the job?
That is what a Red Mage is... A class that uses spells and sword. If you wanted a ranged caster that does white and black magic, we do have the Sage job sitting in the wings. If you really want to redefine a job with the white vs black thing, you could even use the Oracle/Ying-yang Mage/Mystic job for that.

Lots of things change when you move into an MMO. Our Summoner is not a black mage with sprite art instead of particle effects, but a job that has a pet and a resource system that allows it to call Bahamut (something the FFXI summoner could not do). Our ninja is not solely justified in its existence by dual wield and throwing consumable items, but by being up-close in combat with Mudras. Our Fighter/Warrior is not just a guy that auto-attacks/presses the Fight command a lot, but a tank with skills that change depending on their current stance. Our Scholar is a dedicated healer instead of the white/black magic hybrid it was in FFXI. Likewise our version of Geomancer will probably be a ranged nuker or healer, depending on which side of the elements SE chooses to go with. Our Templar might end up being another tank to join PLD, DRK and WAR instead of a debuff-oriented knight. "It played like this in the console FFs" is not an acceptable excuse, especially when it comes to classes that were held back by the limits of turn-based combat.

Even in FFXI RDM's job wasnt to melee. You had your melee buffs, and that was it. You then sat there and melee attacked during the very rare occasions you werent constantly casting. Many RDM flat out didnt melee and would switch to staffs. If anything, RDM is more melee heavy in FFXIV than it was in FFXI.

Once more, you wanted it to be something its never been.

Show me an iteration of RDM that primarily meleed and you'll have an argument, untill then you're just saying you wanted it to be something its not.