Sage has been nerfed, changed, and side-grade buffed/nerfed all while the game has moved towards more powerful and loaded kits with the advent of the class reworks. His release state would be slightly worse or balanced compared to the current state of classes.
The recent changes on may 31st made him annoying to grind with because you constantly unintentionally switch to pre-awakening when moving around, rift chain deletes your stamina bar still. The changes didn't move him towards being balanced compared to other classes it just made him more annoying to play.
This is pretty heartbreaking since I love the class and my relationship with the game basically lives or dies with my sage.
Honestly I agree to some extent I do find it rather annoying to use. It also messes with combos, I think PA needs help re balancing this class this "buff" was a major dissapoitment.