So getting rid of an All Pro guard will mean they will have a BETTER chance to make the playoffs?
I understand your reasoning, this team needs help at various positions. You can get "two for one" by getting draft picks for Martin, but here's my viewpoint.
First of all, if you get rid of Martin, who will take his spot? There's no one on the roster available, no great free agent guard available in free agency and do you really want to hope that some undrafted guard will be anywhere near as good as Martin (or the Newell guy you think is the best guard, I beg to differ)? And just how good have the Cowboys been at finding the great undrafted players, except Collins, who had an unusual situation that let him be undrafted? Not very good.
So you think keeping Martin is due to sentimental reasons? A perennial Pro Bowler?
And I'm sure Zack is looking for a huge contract, first of all he's earned it, secondly it's common negotiating tactics to ask for far more than you will take, doesn't mean he expects to get it. You start high and come down. I studied negotiating in college, there's various ways to try to get what you want.
Lastly, makes no sense to take one of the very very few guys on this team you can count on for top play all year, every year just because you can't otherwise manage the cap correctly. By your reasoning, if any player gets to be really great, just trade him. NO player would be safe, in a couple of years you have a bunch of inexperienced players that haven't played with anybody else. Continuity on the offensive line is more important than just about any other area, what with the innovative blitzes these days, athletic tackles like Donald can tear apart your offense unless you have personnel in place to handle them, like Martin and Frederick.
We're not going to agree, I just hope Jerry and Stephen take my view, not yours...