Sep 12, 2010 12:47 AM EST

The A's announced they had exercised Bob Geren's contract option for the 2011 season, which will mark his fifth year at the helm in Oakland.

"There are only 30 of these jobs in the world," Geren said, "so it's a real honor, obviously, to have one. To be asked back to try to bring us to that next level, it's a real privilege in my opinion."

Geren optimistically believes the A's are "so close to being an elite team."

Via MLB.com