Mario Alvarez was NOT arbitration-eligible ...
... but he DID have an arm injury that was going to keep him out for all of 2009, and given that he was on the 40-man roster, he would have had to be on the big-league DL all year accruing big-league service time. This also clears a 40-man spot. Also, I just spoke with Ned, and he reiterated that the Dodgers are open to re-signing Saito and Berroa. If Saito ISN'T re-signed, the closer's role could go to Broxton, Kuo, someone else in the organization or someone outside the organization. Even if Saito IS re-signed, he won't necessarily be the closer.
I think Brox should be the outright closer. Maybe if he knows the job is his rather than just given to him by default because the actual closer is hurt, it might help his confidence, especially if the team has enough confidence in him to be the closer. Wade and Kuo should be the set-up guys.