Did the O's really miss that badly on Dunn?

A Baltimore Sun report, citing an industry source, said the O's offered Adam Dunn a four-year deal worth $40 million. Dunn reportedly signed for $56 million over four years with the White Sox, who now may also retain Paul Konerko. Yes, we are all thinking the same thing here. If those reports are accurate, the O's missed by a mile. If both reports are on the money, pun intended, the O's offer to Dunn was a huge swing and miss. Dunn's agent let it be known they were seeking four years and $60 million. Just because they seek it doesn't mean they will get it. But did the O's really offer Dunn an average of two million less per year than they offered Victor Martinez? Color me a bit shocked by that one. It's one thing to not get a player and be in the hunt with an offer but if the O's were going to miss that big, why bother? This news will just serve to further feed Andy MacPhail's critics who feel he moves too slow and can't sign a big name or big bat for the club. By the way, so much for all the talk that Dunn would not go to the AL and would not DH. Now he is the AL and I'll bet he serves often as a DH. Rather than panic here at this point, I am going to heed my own advice and remember it's not about who signs the players the fastest, it's about getting the right guys. Or at least improving your team. The O's have plenty of time left, heck the Winter Meetings don't even start until Monday. But I hope the O's don't misjudge their next offer by $16 million. Everyone knows they are going to have to overpay to get a significant hitter. They can still get one, or more through trade or free agency. The O's could still surprise a doubting fan base and make some nice acquisitions. But if they did miss the mark here by $16 million, it would have to be hard for any fan to have confidence in any upcoming negotiations. I will give MacPhail the benefit of the doubt here because it is jumping the gun to rip him for not getting the job done on Dec. 3. But the pursuit of Martinez and Dunn has not gone well. There is no prize for finishing second in free agency. O's fans have dealt with that for far too long. As they say, it isn't over until the fat lady sings. I just hope she isn't warming up offstage right now.