Boras thaw pleases Lowe

Any lingering bitterness the Dodgers felt toward prominent agent Scott Boras has dissipated as the J.D. Drew opt-out episode recedes and optimism about the current team takes center stage.

No one is happier about the thaw than pitcher Derek Lowe, the only Boras client left on the Dodgers’ expected 25-man roster. Lowe followed the team’s off-season developments closely and spent time on the golf course with Greg Maddux, a Boras client the Dodgers did not re-sign.

Lowe understands why Boras would advise Drew to consider opting out and why the Dodgers signed Jason Schmidt instead of Maddux. After all, the Boston Red Sox will pay Drew $70 million the next five years, a significant increase over the $33 million for three years the Dodgers owed him. And Schmidt is nearly seven years younger than Maddux, who signed with the San Diego Padres.

Boras did for Drew and Maddux what he does for nearly all of his clients -- get them the best deals possible.

“Isn’t that an agent’s job?” Lowe asked rhetorically. “He’s good at what he does. You are in a profession where an agent can only be as good as his players, and if you look at his clientele, he’s selective.”

Although Boras has a reputation in some baseball circles for pursuing the highest offer and ignoring other factors, Lowe said the agent is attentive to a client’s wishes.

“You have a meeting with him and discuss your priorities,” he said. “Different things are important to different guys. But you are always confident he will do the best job he can do for you.”

Boras also has a large staff of employees to help clients in various aspects of their lives.

“He’s very supportive, he definitely talks to you often,” Lowe said. “There is a tremendous support system from his entire operation.”

The Dodgers navigated the off-season without signing another Boras client. But General Manager Ned Colletti realizes that probably won’t last forever.

“I’ve known Scott for a long time, and we’ll likely do business again,” he said. “My job is to do what’s best for the Dodgers, and that involves entering discussions with agents. That won’t be an issue.”

For his part, Boras said shortly after the winter meetings that he never had any ill feelings toward the Dodgers. From his perspective, Drew simply exercised a clause in his contract that proved to be the right move financially.

“It’s never personal,” Boras said.

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Greg Miller sends messages every time he brings his left arm back and slings another strike.

He’s healthy. He’s a prospect again. He can help the Dodgers win.

“We shouldn’t be surprised if Greg is in an L.A. Dodgers uniform before the year is over,” Manager Grady Little said. “He’s been very impressive.”

After shooting to the top of the prospect list in 2003, his second minor league season, Miller missed the 2004 season recovering from shoulder surgery. He pitched sparingly but effectively the last two years but was never completely healthy.

“I’d never seen the guy I heard about in 2003,” Little said. “This spring is totally different. He’s here on a mission. He could be getting ready to light up some eyes.”

Miller made 25 starts in 2003, giving up 118 hits and striking out 151 in 142 1/3 innings. He has been primarily a reliever since then, but Little said he might return to a starting role.

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Talk of prospect Andy La Roche learning to play the outfield has cooled, and he is devoting nearly all his time to becoming the best third baseman possible. “We’re not going to confuse him right now,” Little said.... Utility infielder Damian Jackson was out because of a stomach virus.

steve.henson@latimes.com