And a skill that both diminishes quickly and is subject to volatility.
You just say stuff you make yourself feel better.
Just to put some facts on paper:
Players peak about 27 years old
Bigger players regress at pretty much the same rate as smaller players
Bad defensive players regress much worse than good defensive players. (ie good defensive player becomes better all around players than good offensive players; the axis is about age 32)
High strikeout players have a much smoother aging curve than low strikeout players (high strikeout guys peak a year earlier, but don't hit the skids as bad as low strikeout guys)
In other words, there is no data to suggest Heyward is going to regress any more than other players in their 30s (Heyward is still years away from being at an age where you would expect regression)
Heyward is not an impact bat, but the degree to which the Braves homers try to act like he's at offensively is ludicrous. Since 2012, Heyward is at .270/.345/.432, which is on par with Cespedes, who is about to get paid as well. And in terms of WAR, he's been the 4th best OF in baseball during that time. (you could argue defense is weighed too heavily, but he's still up there nonetheless)
Do people criticize Alex Gordon's lack of offense to this degree? THey are virtually the same player.