OAKLAND — If this is Torii Hunter’s poker face, he should stick to dominoes.

“I’ve told them openly and I’ve said it publicly and I’ll say it loud – I want to stay with the Angels,” said Hunter who has entered the final month of the five-year, $90 million deal he signed as a free agent in November 2007.

Hunter has firmly established his continued value with one of the best seasons of his career — particularly in the past three months. Hunter entered Tuesday batting .307 for the year (he has never finished a season with a .300 average) including a sizzling .357 since the All-Star break (second in the American League over that time). The defensive abilities that won him nine Gold Glove awards as a centerfielder have moved with him to right field where he is playing at a level that could net a 10th.

But Hunter says he has no interest in taking a second run at free agency.

“This is where I want to be,” he said. “I want to retire as an Angel.”

If only it were that simple. The Angels’ outfield situation is a knot Angels GM Jerry Dipoto would like to untangle. Mike Trout’s emergence and Mark Trumbo’s conversion to the outfield this season combined with Vernon Wells’ payroll-clogging contract and Peter Bourjos’ residency in limbo cloud the decision about Hunter’s potential return.

“Obviously, it remains to be seen how things play out,” Dipoto said Tuesday. “First of all, I’m thrilled for Torii — and for our club – because he’s having a terrific year.

“He knows the circumstances. He knows there is pending free agency. He knows that is a position of depth in our organization. … It’s not an easy decision and it’s not a decision we’re going to make quickly or take lightly. Torii is a big part of what this organization is about, what it has been and what our club is right now.”

Hunter has said repeatedly that salary is not an important issue. He knows he will have to take a deep cut from his current $18 million annual salary – how deep he won’t discuss but a salary half that large might be the most he could hope for at this point.

“For me personally, as far as the business decision – I know they would have to wheel and deal, make some changes (to make room for him in the immediate future),” Hunter said. “There’s a lot of things that are going to be going on this winter. But if they’re willing to be creative, I can be creative too.”

Hunter is referring to deferred money or the inclusion of an option year.

But the Angels have already committed to paying Albert Pujols as much as $30 million a year during what will inevitably be his declining years – and are still paying off the misguided decision to give Bobby Abreu a two-year extension at age 36 that included an easily-reachable trigger clause for a third season that guaranteed him $9 million at age 38 this year. The Angels are paying that while he plays for the Dodgers.

Hunter shows no signs of decline at age 37 and proudly speaks of his “good genes.” Nonetheless, the Angels have to step carefully when committing money to a player in his late 30s.

“Torii is 37 by birth certificate but his body is so much younger,” Dipoto said. “He stays in great shape. He has a lively mind and a lively personality. If you didn’t know he was 37 years old, you wouldn’t guess it.”

Hunter’s influence on young players like Trout is not dismissed as a clubhouse asset by Dipoto, either.

“You see it every day. He is a wonderful role model and mentor for our young players,” the GM said. “His makeup is as off the charts as any player you can name.

“All of that’s going to weigh in (to a decision on whether to re-sign Hunter). It’s been a remarkable year for him and I’m happy for him – if for no other reason than it makes us better as a ballclub, but also because you like to see good things happen to good people. But quite frankly, whatever decision we reach is going to be made for the best of the organization.”

Dipoto said there have been no discussions about a new contract with Hunter. When the two sides do meet to discuss the future (and that could happen soon), Hunter said he would tell Dipoto the Angels will have “first dibs on me, no matter what” – even if a number of other teams line up, looking to add a veteran with his credentials and clubhouse presence.

“Everybody knows this is where I want to be,” he said.

NOTES

Angels outfielder Mike Trout was named AL Rookie of the Month again for August – despite the fact that he hit only .284, his lowest for a full month in the big leagues this season. It is Trout’s fourth consecutive Rookie of the Month recognition. … The Angels added two more players to their September roster Tuesday, promoting catcher Hank Conger and right-hander Barry Enright from Triple-A Salt Lake. Conger split the season between the Angels and Salt Lake, going 3 for 13 (.231) in five games with the Angels and hitting .295 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI in 67 games at Triple-A. Enright was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization in a July trade. He was 5-1 with a 2.73 ERA in eight starts for Salt Lake after the trade, 13-7 with a 4.86 ERA combined with Reno and Salt Lake.

WEDNESDAY

Angels RHP Dan Haren (9-10, 4.58) is scheduled to start against A’s RHP Brandon McCarthy (8-5, 3.10) at 12:35 p.m. It will be broadcast on FSN, KLAA/830 and KWKW/1330 (Spanish).

Contact the writer: bplunkett@ocregister.com

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