Courtesy the Tampa Bay Times, this word late Friday afternoon from B.J. Upton's agent making him now officially a Rays ex-centerfielder.

"At this point, we just feel it's time to explore the free-agent process, and that's what we'll do," Larry Reynolds.

Since the Rays made a $13.3 million qualfying one-year offer they will get a draft pick as compensation when he signs elsewhere.