I see what you are saying, but it would not make any business sense for DAL management. I do not think merger between XJ and CZ is even a remote possibility. Even less of a chance for merger between XJ and Comair. It is cheaper for DAL to operate XJ, CZ, and Comair separately. CZ is the cheapest of the three. Probably cheaper than any of the DCIs.

I do not think XJ will get any turboprops to replace Saabs, either. DAL management has said many times that Saabs and other turboprops do not meet their concept of DAL quality product.

I also do not think XJ will get any significant flying out of CVG, if any. Any increase out of CVG flying, IF ANY, will go to Comair.

Flying out of SLC has been steady albeit changes in quantity. I am seeing steady overnights at SLC on most pairings. DAL is measuring the peformance of XJ out of SLC to various western cities served by DAL. If you look at December pairings, there are a lot of pairings with SLC stops that also has overnights in SFO and SAT. They also added Spokane, Washington as an overnight city for Dec. The main reason for this is obvious. DAL has been burned in the past by Comair by their complete reliance on one DCI out of certain cities. Right now SLC is dominated by SkyWest. If DAL relationship with SkyWest deteriorated for any reason in 2010 or beyond, DAL does not want to stuck in the same frustrating situation they were back in 2000 and 2001. For this reason alone, I expect to see steady increase of SLC flying for XJ in 2010.

As for making SLC an XJ pilot base, I have heard this is not an option at this point, but if you see a notable increase in blocked hours out of SLC in 2010, it is a good bet that SLC will become the next XJ base. XJ pilots are already allowed to use DAL crew bagroom and DAL crewroom at SLC.
But this is just a conjecture based on what we know today. Things could change just like that in few weeks, or months.