In what is being described as one of the most bewildering moments of the 2025 MLB season, Yankees manager Aaron Boone is under fire after a highly questionable substitution decision during Sunday’s crushing 9-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays — and now, explosive allegations are emerging that may shake the franchise to its core.

Late in the 6th inning, with the game still within reach and ace reliever Jonathan Loáisiga warming up in the bullpen, Boone instead called in rookie right-hander Kyle Whitlock, who had pitched just once all season. Whitlock immediately surrendered a three-run homer to Randy Arozarena, effectively sealing the Yankees’ fate.

Boone’s move was met with immediate outrage from fans and analysts alike. But the story didn’t end there.

Just hours after the game, rumors exploded across social media when a Reddit user posted screenshots of alleged Venmo transactions showing Boone receiving several payments labeled “consulting fee” from an anonymous account tied to an offshore entity. Internet sleuths quickly dubbed the account the “mystery person,” and speculation has since run wild that the payment was a bribe related to Boone’s baffling bullpen call.

Yankees Twitter erupted, with hashtags like #BooneBribe and #FireBooneNow trending within minutes.

“This is absolutely insane. You’re telling me Boone chooses a guy with no rhythm over Loáisiga in a tight game — and then we find this?” one fan posted.

Neither Boone nor the Yankees organization has issued an official statement, though a team spokesperson told local reporters the allegations are “being reviewed internally.” MLB has not commented on whether an investigation will be launched.

If the allegations are true, this could represent one of the biggest scandals in modern Yankees history, drawing comparisons to the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal.

For now, fans are demanding answers — and heads may roll in the Bronx if this story continues to develop.