The A's inked manager Bob Geren to the Billy Beane "Buddy" Special, yesterday, an extension that takes his contract through the 2010 season and includes a club option for 2011.

From The Official Site

I know he hasn't had the greatest luck or offensive talent over the past two years, but I don't really see any evidence indicating Geren's performance thus far warrants this type of extension.  A 151-172 record isn't exactly noteworthy, especially considering the run of playoff appearances and contending seasons we had leading up to his taking the helm.

You could argue that there are teams with equal or lesser talent out there (some of which played in tougher divisions) that turned in better seasons than the A's last year, specifically Texas, Minnesota, Kansas City, Cleveland, Toronto etc.   I'm not sure why Beane didn't wait until next offseason to decide whether committ money to a contract retaining Geren.  Was he doing his "buddy" a favor?