DODGERS UPDATE: WEAVER REJECTS LATE BID.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

Jeff Weaver's two year-career with the Dodgers likely came to an end Sunday when the team and the free agent pitcher couldn't agree on a contract.

Under baseball's labor contract, free agents offered arbitration have until Jan. 8 to re-sign with their former teams. After that, they can't re-sign until May 1.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti expressed interest in bringing Weaver back, and was negotiating with agent Scot Boras this weekend in hopes of resigning the former Simi Valley High standout.

However, Colletti maintained all winter the gulf separating Weaver's demands and the club's offer was considerable, making a deal highly unlikely.

``It was a difference of philosophy and a difference of opinion,'' Colletti said Sunday night. ``It's disappointing because I would have liked to have had Jeff back pitching for the Dodgers next year, but it just didn't work out.''

Recent moves by Colletti suggest he wasn't confident Weaver was coming back. He signed free-agent pitcher Brett Tomko and traded for New York Mets starter Jae Seo to fill out the Dodgers' rotation. They join Brad Penny, Derek Lowe and Odalis Perez on the starting staff, although Colletti hasn't ruled out adding another pitcher.