Canada's Windsor (Ontario) Star newspaper reported that baseball will eliminate the Marlins and Montreal Expos and allow Marlins owner John Henry to purchase the Anaheim Angels.
The report said Expos owner Jeffrey Loria would purchase the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and a dispersal draft would be held later this year, with the teams picking in reverse order of the regular-season standings.
Henry was unavailable for comment but has often said he will not comment on rumours about the Marlins' future. Commissioner Bud Selig has threatened to fine owners $1 million (B1.12m) if they comment on baseball's economics.
Marlins president and general manager Dave Dombrowski saw the story, but didn't think much of it.
"That's not anything we've been told," he said. "I know there are no procedures where there is not a team in South Florida in 2002."
Marlins vice president of sales and marketing, Joe Rebull Jr, said: "I don't comment on rumours. We have heard so many rumors and keep hearing them.
"But this is nothing I'm aware of. We're planning on being here next year."
Baseball owners are due to meet November 6 at Chicago.
