LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers are still trying to bring back Manny Ramirez. Only the enigmatic slugger doesn't like their latest deal.

He rejected their third offer — for one year — that would have made him baseball's second-highest paid player behind Alex Rodriguez.

That leaves Ramirez unsigned three months after deciding to test his value in the recession-plagued free agent market, with the Dodgers the only team to have confirmed making any offers.

"We have interest in signing Manny," general manager Ned Colletti told The Associated Press in an e-mail yesterday. "We don't have a deadline but these situations can change in an instant and either side can change them in an instant."

The Dodgers open spring training for the first time in Arizona on Feb. 14.

The latest deal — a one-year, $25 million offer — was rejected Monday. It would have given Ramirez the second-highest average salary behind New York Yankees third baseman Rodriguez's $275 million, 10-year contract.

ELSEWHERE

Brewers: Second baseman Rickie Weeks, who hit .234 with 14 homers and scored 89 runs last year, agreed yesterday to a $2.45 million, one-year contract with Milwaukee and avoided salary arbitration.

Mets: Left-hander Oliver Perez, who was 10-7 with a 4.22 ERA in 34 starts last year, finalized a $36 million, three-year contract with New York yesterday.

Orioles: Baltimore and free agent utility infielder/outfielder Ty Wigginton reached a preliminary agreement on a $6 million, two-year contract.

Padres: Former agent Jeff Moorad reached an agreement yesterday for his group to buy the San Diego Padres from majority owner John Moores.

Rockies: Third baseman Garrett Atkins avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year, $7.05 million contract with Colorado that will make him the second-highest paid player on the team.

Tigers: Right-hander Justin Verlander and Detroit agreed yesterday to a one-year contract worth $3,675,000, more than seven times his $500,000 salary last season.