At Meetings, Rox to explore all ‘pen options

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NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The key to a Rockies’ turnaround is clear — fix the worst bullpen in the Majors in 2016. And general manager Jeff Bridich, who will try to check that off his list at the Winter Meetings, notes it can happen several different ways. One thing is certain: Rockies.com will be there to cover it.

MLB.com and MLB Network will have wall-to-wall coverage of the 2016 Winter Meetings from the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center outside Washington, D.C. Fans can catch live streaming of all news conferences and manager availability on MLB.com, including the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday at 8 a.m. MT.

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Bridich has already noted that the club has talked with two free agents — established righty closer Mark Melancon and late-innings lefty Mike Dunn — and is considering improving the ‘pen through trades or free agency.

The tough signing may be Melancon, a Denver-area native who has earned 91 saves over the last two seasons. The Nationals are pressing to retain him, and he has visited with the Giants, who saw their bullpen struggles cost them in the National League Championship Series against the Cubs, who pushed San Francsico out of what had been an every-other-year date with the Commissioner’s Trophy. But the competition isn’t the only reason the signing Melancon may be difficult.

The Rockies have to decide how heavily they’ll pursue Melancon, or anyone else whose price tag is higher because of a ninth-inning history. The fact they’ve talked indicates they’re considering it. But beefing up the bullpen in other ways is on the table.

“Internally here, we …

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