Daily Distractions: One day until Dodgers pitchers and catchers report; items on Jon Garland, Matt Kemp, Mike Piazza.

We’re driving to Arizona today in advance of Dodgers pitchers and catchers reporting tomorrow, and hope to fare better than Brandon League.

Perhaps it’s the calm before the storm, but only a Kevin Gregg signing interrupted a slow weekend for baseball-related Dodgers news. Off-the-field news? Keep reading, it’ll keep you busy until we hit Indio:

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Dodgers trade for Thome, Garland

In separate deals consummated just minutes before the 9 p.m. PST deadline for postseason eligibility, the Dodgers have dealt for designated hitter Jim Thome and righthander Jon Garland.

Thome is hitting .249/.372/.493 this season for the White Sox for an OPS of .864, more than 100 points better than Dodger first baseman James Loney’s .738. Thome, 39, has 564 career home runs, but hasn’t played first base since 2007. He’ll likely be relegated to pinch-hitting duties with a start here and there. Chicago will get a player to be named later.

Garland, 29, has a 4.29 ERA in 167.2 innings this season for the Diamondbacks. He has made at least 32 starts in each of the last seven seasons. The Dodgers reportedly gave up minor leaguer Justin Fuller to Arizona. Fuller was hitting .254 in his age-26 season with Inland Empire.