freeranger So after checking all of the specs, and trying to match up the designs, it appears the bike shop put on an Advent 2x9 Mountain bike front derailleur. This begins to make some sense as to the compatibility issues.....and something I am a little disappointed that the bike shop decided this was the best solution? Maybe at the time (2020) it was....

Anyways, going to look into the problem solvers as a solution. I do worry the pulley solution will increase the cable length, and add potentially less precise shifting, but really, front derailleurs in general are not precise instruments, but generally still more at heart with friction shifting.