Skywest dropping Delta (200/700/900/175) for the firm orders of 'prohibited' aircraft to fly for Alaska would result in 32% fewer airframes (22% if discounting the 200s on 120 day contracts). Depending on what the Alaska rate is dropping Delta is a business option (not a good one option but still an option).
I'm against scope relaxation or bigger aircraft but Skyw has a much clearer path to quickly replace Delta than Delta could quickly replace skyw. Keyword there was quickly.
I'm against all of this and don't think any of this will happen but the numbers do make it plausible.