This Might Be Herzog’s Last Year as Angels’ General Manager : Baseball: Third year of his contract turns out to be optional. He says he is uncertain of his future.

When the Angels announced on Sept. 16, 1991, that Whitey Herzog had been hired as a senior vice president for player personnel, they said he had received a three-year contract through 1994.

That wasn’t quite right.

Herzog, it has been learned, received a two-year contract that includes a club option for 1994.

In other words, this could be Herzog’s final year with the Angels, who must decide on the option by Dec. 1.

Herzog said he will meet with club President Richard Brown and owners Gene and Jackie Autry in September to talk about the option.

“I enjoy what I’m doing, but I haven’t decided yet (about continuing),” Herzog said.

“I wanted to give myself three years to help turn the club around, but it was my decision to make next year an option year because I didn’t want them to have to pay me an executive’s salary if a lockout or strike wiped out the season.”

The option is believed to call for a raise from his current salary, estimated to be $850,000. A provision in the contract also allows Herzog to remain on the Angel payroll as a consultant for three years, if he wishes, after he leaves a full-time role.

Jackie Autry said of the option: “I think Whitey wanted some flexibility if he decided two years was enough, but I don’t know what his current thinking is.”

Herzog returned last week from a scouting trip to the Dominican Republic and now is scouting the American Assn., trying to find pitching help.

“I think we’re headed in the right direction, and I think the fans think that, too,” he said. “There’s some real enthusiasm, on the field and in the stands.

“I’d like to do something (to improve the pitching) because I think the kids have shown they’re capable of winning this year, but we’re not deep and I won’t give up any of our young talent.”

Herzog added, though, that with the arrival of Chad Curtis, Tim Salmon, Damion Easley and others from the farm system, there could be a gap until third baseman Eduardo Perez, infielder-outfielder Kevin Flora and catchers Jorge Fabregas and Chris Turner, among other top prospects, are ready.

He also said that injuries suffered by prospective closers Troy Percival and Ron Watson and last year’s No. 1 draft choice, pitcher Pete Janicki, have been significant setbacks.

It seems unlikely that Herzog would leave close friend Gene Autry if he felt major work was still to be done, but he might be frustrated enough to leave if he thought financial restrictions were hindering his task.

Salaries affected the departures of Bryan Harvey, Jim Abbott, Wally Joyner and Dave Winfield in the two years Herzog has been with the team. On the other hand, the decision to swallow the rest of the contracts of Gary Gaetti and Chuck Crim might signify that the Autrys are willing to do what Herzog believes is needed.