ST. PETERSBURG -- Friday’s non-tender deadline came and went without any surprises from the Rays.

Tampa Bay officially non-tendered outfielders Christopher Morel and Jake Fraley , which was expected after they were designated for assignment ahead of Tuesday’s reserve deadline. Both were eligible for salary arbitration but found themselves squeezed out of a crowded outfield picture. They are now free agents.

While Morel is likely to head elsewhere after a disappointing year and a half with the Rays, the club will be open to bringing back Fraley. They weren’t prepared to tender him a contract at his projected salary by Friday’s deadline, however, especially considering how many outfielders they already have on their roster.

“We’ve expressed a desire to keep the conversations going

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