MLB NOTEBOOK: DEFECTOR LANDS WITH ANGELS.

Byline: Daily News Staff and Wire Services

The Angels added a intriguing talent to their stable Wednesday when they reached agreement on a six-year major league contract with Cuban defector Kendry Morales, a 21-year-old power hitter.

The club has not signed Morales because, as a Cuban defector, he needs clearance from the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Once that occurs, Morales will sign a contract that multiple baseball sources indicated will be largely incentive-based, but could be worth more than $10 million. He is expected to receive a signing bonus in excess of $2 million.

International baseball experts regard Morales, a switch-hitter, as the best position player to come out of Cuba in decades. He can play either corner position in the infield and outfield, but power is what lured scouts. - Gabe Lacques

Yanks balk at price for Johnson: The New York Yankees pulled out of trade talks for Randy Johnson on Wednesday, telling Arizona that its proposals for deals involving the five-time Cy Young Award winner were unreasonable, the Associated Press learned.

The Yankees informed the Diamondbacks of their decision Wednesday afternoon, ending weeks of discussions, a high-ranking baseball official told the AP on condition of anonymity.

-- No deal for Expos' move: Owners have until Monday to approve the relocation of the Expos to Washington, yet Major League Baseball has not reached an agreement with Baltimore owner Peter Angelos on a deal that would protect his team from the financial consequences of sharing the market with the transplanted club.

If Angelos and MLB cannot reach a settlement, it is possible that a lawsuit could be filed to block the move, according to Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich.