New York ? Baseball commissioner Bud Selig pledged Tuesday not to lock out players through the World Series but left open the chance that owners would impose new work rules during the offseason, a move that could trigger another strike this summer.

The players’ union, operating without a labor contract since Nov. 7, quickly interpreted Selig’s statement as a veiled threat to impose vast economic changes as soon as the postseason ends.

In 1994, the union struck on Aug. 12, saying the move was its only recourse to fight management’s plan to implement changes, including a salary cap. The walkout, baseball’s eighth since 1972, lasted 232 days and caused the World Series to be canceled for the first time since 1903.

Union head Donald Fehr called Selig’s statement “a tacit acknowledgment of the clubs’ continuing intention” to make changes after the World Series.

“He thinks what we do not: that the fans can be more easily fooled, fooled into thinking this ‘pledge’ is a concession of sorts on his part,” Fehr said.

Selig said for months that a lockout was not “on my radar screen,” but he had refused to rule one out. His promise not to impose new terms and conditions of employment for players through the end of the World Series bore little significance because players already have signed their 2002 contracts.

A rules change in the offseason would affect new contracts signed for 2003 and beyond.

“Our fans deserve to know that the 2002 season will be played to completion without interruption and they deserve to know that now before we begin the new season,” Selig said. “Therefore, on behalf of the clubs, I pledge that we will not take any economic action either in the form of a lockout or unilateral implementation against the players’ association throughout the course of the season and postseason.

“The sanctity of the season, however, is only partially within my control. Since we do not have a new collective bargaining agreement, the players have the right to strike at any time. I sincerely hope that they share my strong feeling about the importance of playing the entire season.”

Asked why he made the announcement Tuesday, Selig said during a telephone interview: “I thought the timing was good. In my judgment, this way was a very good way to reassure fans.”

Fehr did not say whether players would make a similar no-strike pledge, and history suggests they won’t.

“All I can say, the players setting a strike date is always a last resort,” Fehr said.

Negotiations for a new labor contract have been slow, at first delayed by the owners’ failed attempt to eliminate the Minnesota Twins and Montreal Expos. Talks, which recessed March 13, are to resume next week but the sides are far apart.