Marlins rumors: Mike Redmond could be fired soon

Miami Marlins manager Mike Redmond is on the hot seat and could be fired soon, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.

After being swept by the New York Mets in a four game series, the Marlins are off to a 3-10 start, the second worst record in the majors. Star player Giancarlo Stanton has said his team lacked "fire", prompting questions about owner Jeffrey Loria making a managerial change. Spencer lays out in his piece that this wouldn't be the first time Loria makes a managerial change, although one 15-20 games into a season would be a new record for Loria.

The rumor of Redmond being on the hot seat has been denied by those in the Miami front office.

My friend Clark Spencer does fine work, but #Marlins official says team is "not sure where this is coming from." We're 2 weeks in, people.

— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) April 20, 2015

Who will the Marlins consider as a replacement?

Although these rumors are being denied, a potential replacement has already been suggested. The current manager of Mets affiliate AAA Las Vegas, Wally Backman, is supposedly gaining traction. While Backman has come up a number of times for open managerial positions, he's always found himself back with the team with whom he played most of his career.

The Marlins were quite active this off-season, making trades and signing free agents in hopes to get the team over the hump after missing the playoffs with 77 wins a season ago.

Now with major league ready talent in Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna, and Jose Fernandez on the road to returning to the big leagues, the Marlins apparently felt like 2015 was their chance to return to the playoffs.

They will play an upcoming series against the Philadelphia Phillies, a team that most have pegged for the bottom of the NL East. How the Marlins fare in the series will indicate how serious these rumors are and if Redmond can save his job -- if it actually is on the line.