Giants Splash: A deal with Mets that would make complete sense

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UPDATE, 5:10 p.m.: The other day, in reporting that Brian Sabean was spotted watching the Mets play the Nationals, my friend Adam Rubin of ESPN.com speculated that the Giants might be looking at infielder Daniel Murphy.

Here's my speculation, and what I know.

The Mets seem to need catching depth in light of Travis D'Arnaud's fractured throwing-hand finger. They are bringing up nonroster journeyman catcher Johnny Monell from Triple-A.

The Giants have catching depth with Andrew Susac and Hector Sanchez, one of whom likely goes when any one of Travis Ishikawa, Hunter Pence, Jake Peavy or Matt Cain comes off the disabled list.

The Giants need rotation depth, and the Mets were accepting offers for starter Dillon Gee over the winter. It's hard to break up a rotation when a team is playing as well as the Mets are, but their top starting prospect, Noah Syndergaard, is coming fast. The Mets might have a surplus of arms.

Syndergaard just won Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week after two straight scoreless starts for Las Vegas, including a complete game.

Gee has a 3.86 ERA over five starts, with a 1.352 WHIP, his worst since 2011. Sanchez is almost a ghost as the third catcher and clearly is behind Susac on the depth chart.

I am not reporting that the Giants have discussed Sanchez for Gee.

Daniel Murphy #28 of the New York Mets reacts after hitting a three run double in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on May 1, 2015 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. less Daniel Murphy #28 of the New York Mets reacts after hitting a three run double in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on May 1, 2015 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens ... more Photo: Mike Stobe, Getty Images Photo: Mike Stobe, Getty Images Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close Giants Splash: A deal with Mets that would make complete sense 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

I am speculating that it makes a lot of sense.

However, the Giants are still checking down their internal options. Peavy is scheduled to throw a bullpen Tuesday, and perhaps again later in the week, in hopes of starting a rehab assignment soon.

Cain is making progress. He threw from 90 feet on flat ground Monday. He's close to throwing off the mound.

Plus, the Giants have not given up on Ryan Vogelsong, who has struggled to keep the ball in the park. He starts Tuesday night against the Padres.

While a trade might not be imminent, management is exploring outside options while hoping the rotation as is continues the improvement that has pushed the team toward .500.

Hunter Pence update:

Hunter Pence is "not close" to a minor-league rehab assignment, manager Bruce Bochy said. Pence is taking batting practice on the field Monday and will again Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with Wednesday a day off.

Then, he will be reassessed.

Remember, he did not have much of a spring training. He needs to get his timing back.

However, the issue is not physical. Bochy said there is no setback from the fracture in his left arm.

"There hasn't been a day where we've gone, 'Oh, no, we have to back him off,'" Bochy said.

ORIGINAL POST: Madison Bumgarner was a little off-kileter in his delivery when he faced the Padres in his second start of 2015. OK, he was a lot off-kilter. He allowed five runs on 10 hits in three innings in a 10-2 loss at Petco Park.

Just a guess here: That start will be on Bumgarner’s mind as he faces San Diego at home Monday night, as the Giants bid to reach .500 for the first time since that loss left them at 3-3. They have won six in a row at home.

One bit of old business: Travis Ishikawa has resumed his rehab assignment, with Class A San Jose, after more work on his strained back after a setback. There is no timetable for his return.

One bit of new business: Alex Guerrero of the Dodgers won National League Rookie of the Month in balloting by writers and broadcasters. That’s not a surprise.

It is a bit surprising that Chris Heston did not receive a vote, while the following players did: Joc Pederson, Yimi Garcia, Anthony DeSclafani, Odubel Herrera, Archie Bradley, Kris Bryant.

Yes, ballots were handed out in San Francisco (I did not have one). Results are not broken down.

Dodger Adrian Gonzalez was named NL Player of the Month. Pirate Gerrit Cole is Pitcher of the Month.

Once again, Bumgarner faces a lineup with nobody hitting left-handed, leaving Arizona's Ender Inciarte as the only lefty non-pitcher to face him this year.

The lineups:

PADRES

1. Myers CF

2. Norris C

3. Kemp RF

4. Upton LF

5. Solarte 1B

6. Gyorko 2B

7. Middlebrooks 3B

8. Barmes SS

9. Ross P

GIANTS

1. Aoki LF

2. Panik 2B

3. Pagan CF

4. Posey C

5. Belt 1B

6. Maxwell RF

7. McGehee 3B

8. Crawford SS

9. Bumgarner P

Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: hschulman@sfchronicle.com