I'd be pretty surprised if first division Scottish clubs could compete with MLS salarywise. I'd be mildly surprised if the SPL bottomfeeders could. They sure as hell don't put a better team on the field.
They werent competing though, noone wanted him, MLS was all that was on the table. I agree though there arent many in the first division who could offer more money than MLS, maybe at a push St Johnstone, but considering the crowds the averave team get and the amount of money in the game at the minute its hardly surprising, its a hard life looking after your own finances in football.